abrupt

[uh-bruhpt]

adjective

1. sudden or unexpected.

   an abrupt departure.

   Synonyms: sharp, quick
   Antonyms: gradual

2. curt or brusque in speech, manner, etc..

   an abrupt reply.

   Synonyms: blunt, hasty, hurried, short
   Antonyms: courteous, patient, deliberate

3. terminating or changing suddenly.

   an abrupt turn in a road.

   Synonyms: sharp, quick
   Antonyms: gradual

4. having many sudden changes from one subject to another; lacking in continuity or smoothness.

   an abrupt writing style.

   Synonyms: uneven, broken, discontinuous

5. steep; precipitous.

   an abrupt descent.

6. Botany.,  truncate.

abrupt

/ əˈbrʌpt /

adjective

1. sudden; unexpected

2. brusque or brief in speech, manner, etc; curt

3. (of a style of writing or speaking) making sharp transitions from one subject to another; disconnected

4. precipitous; steep

5. botany shaped as though a part has been cut off; truncate

6. geology (of strata) cropping out suddenly

Other Word Forms

• abruptly adverb
• abruptness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abrupt¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin abruptus “broken off”(past participle of abrumpere ), equivalent to ab- ab- + -rup- “break” + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of abrupt¹

C16: from Latin abruptus broken off, from _ab- ¹ + rumpere to break

Synonym Study

See sudden.

Example Sentences

The abrupt cancellations of several Japanese music events in Shanghai - one of them midway through a song - have sparked criticism among fans, with some calling the moves "rude" and "extreme".

Read more on BBC

Melissa brought an abrupt but catastrophic end to the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season with no storms forming in November.

Read more on BBC

“The Sopranos,” still considered to be one of the greatest TV dramas ever written, sustained a 14-year debate over the significance of the 2007 finale’s abrupt cut to black.

Read more on Salon

Early ageing - This kicks in at 66, but it is not an abrupt and sudden decline.

Read more on BBC

Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s October policy meeting show some officials voicing concern over a drop in stock prices, “especially in the event of an abrupt reassessment of the possibilities of AI-related technology.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• hasty 
• hurried 
• precipitous 
• quick 
• sudden 
• surprising 
• unanticipated 
• unexpected 
• unforeseen