1. A sudden, abrupt, or dramatic conclusion; an ending that occurs unexpectedly and often unfavorably
The company's success came to a precipitous end when the scandal broke.
O sucesso da empresa chegou a um fim abrupto quando o escândalo veio à tona.
2. An ending characterized by a steep or sharp decline, like falling from a cliff
The stock market's precipitous end to the bull run shocked investors.
O fim abrupto da alta do mercado de ações chocou os investidores.