abrupt
Americanadjective
-
sudden or unexpected.
an abrupt departure.
- Antonyms:
- gradual
-
curt or brusque in speech, manner, etc..
an abrupt reply.
- Antonyms:
- courteous, patient, deliberate
-
terminating or changing suddenly.
an abrupt turn in a road.
- Antonyms:
- gradual
-
having many sudden changes from one subject to another; lacking in continuity or smoothness.
an abrupt writing style.
- Synonyms:
- uneven, broken, discontinuous
-
steep; precipitous.
an abrupt descent.
-
Botany. truncate.
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
Synonym Usage
See sudden.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
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
Explanation
An abrupt decision is one you make suddenly. An abrupt halt is one the Road Runner comes to when reaching an abrupt drop-off — you'd hear brakes squealing. Because being abrupt with someone is often a way of showing them that you are angry, you often apologize for the appearance of it. "I'm sorry I was abrupt. I was rushing to get to class." The root of abrupt is Latin rumpere "to break," which also gives us rupture "break" and interrupt "break into."
Vocabulary lists containing abrupt
Make a Break for It: Rupt
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A Need for Speed: Synonyms for "Fast"
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This Week in Words: July 31 - August 4, 2017
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The remarks came after the president ordered an abrupt curtailment of U.S.-South Korea military drills, a longtime irritant for the Kim regime.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026
Four-time European gold medallist Adam Gemili and relay coach Martyn Rooney stepped in to provide extra assistance to the athletes affected by Baptiste's abrupt departure.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
Josh Bycel said his father reveled in the challenge of cleaning up L.A. politics and was frustrated by his abrupt ouster.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
“It’s been comedy to watch,” McElligott said, in reference to the market’s latest abrupt change of heart.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026
The truck slid sideways for twenty feet, then came to an abrupt stop against something hard.
From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
