abrupt
[ uh-bruhpt ]
/ əˈbrʌpt /
adjective
sudden or unexpected: an abrupt departure.
curt or brusque in speech, manner, etc.: an abrupt reply.
terminating or changing suddenly: an abrupt turn in a road.
having many sudden changes from one subject to another; lacking in continuity or smoothness: an abrupt writing style.
steep; precipitous: an abrupt descent.
Botany. truncate (def. 4).
SYNONYMS FOR abrupt
ANTONYMS FOR abrupt
1, 3 gradual.
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Origin of abrupt
First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin abruptus “broken off”(past participle of abrumpere), equivalent to ab-ab- + -rup- “break” + -tus past participle suffix
synonym study for abrupt
1, 3. See sudden.
OTHER WORDS FROM abrupt
ab·rupt·ly, adverbab·rupt·ness, nounWords nearby abrupt
abristle, abroach, abroad, abrogate, abrogation, abrupt, abruption, abruptio placentae, abruptly, Abruzzi, Abruzzi e Molise
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for abrupt
British Dictionary definitions for abrupt
abrupt
/ (əˈbrʌpt) /
adjective
sudden; unexpected
brusque or brief in speech, manner, etc; curt
(of a style of writing or speaking) making sharp transitions from one subject to another; disconnected
precipitous; steep
botany shaped as though a part has been cut off; truncate
geology (of strata) cropping out suddenly
Derived forms of abrupt
abruptly, adverbabruptness, nounWord Origin for abrupt
C16: from Latin abruptus broken off, from ab- 1 + rumpere to break
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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