abrupt

[ uh-bruhpt ]

/ əˈbrʌpt /

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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).

Nearby words

abristle, abroach, abroad, abrogate, abrogation, abrupt, abruptio placentae, abruption, abruptly pinnate, abruzzi, abruzzi e molise

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

1, 3 quick, sharp. See sudden.

2 short, hurried, hasty, blunt.

4 discontinuous, broken, uneven.

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ANTONYMS FOR abrupt

1, 3 gradual.

2 deliberate; patient, courteous.

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Related forms

ab·rupt·ly, adverbab·rupt·ness, nounun·ab·rupt·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for abruptness

Given the abruptness of his departure, he may yet have to decide himself, aides and friends say.
Gen. McChrystal: Future Bookstore Owner?|Ellen Knickmeyer|June 29, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The abruptness of this opening is due to the interposition of Sl.
The Bbur-nma in English|Babur, Emperor of Hindustan
His terseness sometimes degenerated into abruptness and obscurity.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 7|Various
His arrangements were concluded with some abruptness, but they showed a sound foresight in every detail.
Denis Dent|Ernest W. Hornung

Then Master Cheese knew the voice, and condescended a sort of apology for his abruptness.
Verner's Pride|Mrs. Henry Wood
One does not realize the abruptness of the hilltop, for the city rises from fields and vineyards and orchards.
Riviera Towns|Herbert Adams Gibbons

British Dictionary definitions for abruptness

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, noun

Word Origin for abrupt

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012