Dictionary.com

abrupt

[ uh-bruhpt ]
/ əˈbrʌpt /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: abrupt / abruptly / abruptness on Thesaurus.com

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.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

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

synonym study for abrupt

1, 3. See sudden.

OTHER WORDS FROM abrupt

ab·rupt·ly, adverbab·rupt·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use abrupt in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for abrupt

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 of abrupt

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
FEEDBACK