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).
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Origin of abrupt
1575–85; < Latin abruptus broken off (past participle of abrumpere), equivalent to ab- ab- + -rup- break + -tus past participle suffix
SYNONYMS FOR abrupt
ANTONYMS FOR abrupt
1, 3 gradual.
Related forms
ab·rupt·ly, adverbab·rupt·ness, nounun·ab·rupt·ly, adverbDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
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British Dictionary definitions for abruptly
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
abruptly, adverbabruptness, nounWord Origin for abrupt
C16: from Latin abruptus broken off, from ab- 1 + rumpere to break
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