Final answer:
The word most opposite in meaning to 'precipitous' is 'gradual', as it describes something happening slowly over time, in contrast to precipitous which implies steepness or suddenness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word most opposite in meaning to precipitous is gradual.
The word most opposite in meaning to precipitous is gradual. Precipitous means steep, sudden, or hasty, while gradual means happening slowly or over time. For example, if someone is climbing a precipitous mountain, it is very steep and requires a lot of effort to reach the top quickly. On the other hand, if something is happening in a gradual manner, it is taking place slowly and steadily, without any sudden changes.
The word most opposite in meaning to precipitous is gradual. Precipitous is an adjective that means very steep, or happening in a very quick and sudden way, without careful consideration. Therefore, 'gradual'—which describes a process occurring bit by bit, or slowly over time—is the most opposite in meaning among the options provided. Options such as 'lavish', 'random', and 'coarse' do not relate directly to the concept of steepness or the rate at which something happens.