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
Related Words
See sudden.
Other Word Forms
- abruptly adverb
- abruptness noun
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
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.
"In just ten years, recurring patterns and regularity have developed in the drainage, with massive and abrupt changes in meltwater inflow on a timescale of hours to days," said Humbert.
From Science Daily
For the elder of the two musicians, it marked an abrupt change of plans.
From BBC
Hope says one of the most effective strategies in dealing with Sunday scaries is to "create a gentle bridge between weekend and work mode" so the return doesn't feel so abrupt.
From BBC
What exactly "running the country" actually means is unclear, but the pledge represents an abrupt change of course for the president, rife with contradictions and daunting obstacles.
From BBC
That approach won’t excite markets—but it reduces the risk of abrupt reversals or financial accidents.
From Barron's
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.
