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definitions

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).

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RELATED WORDS

shelf, ramp, hill, bewilderment, consternation, revelation, shock, jolt, miracle, disappointment, curiosity, amazement, awe, wonder, astonishment, declivity, tip, cant, bias, bend

Nearby words

  1. abroach,
  2. abroad,
  3. abrogable,
  4. abrogate,
  5. abrogation,
  6. abruptio placentae,
  7. abruption,
  8. abruptly,
  9. abruptly pinnate,
  10. abruzzi

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.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR abrupt ON THESAURUS.COM
ANTONYMS FOR abrupt
1, 3. gradual. 2. deliberate; patient, courteous.
SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR abrupt ON THESAURUS.COM
Related formsab·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

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 Formsabruptly, 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
Word Origin and History for abruptness

abrupt

adj.

1580s, from Latin abruptus "broken off, precipitous, disconnected," past participle of abrumpere "break off," from ab- "off" (see ab-) + rumpere "break" (see rupture (n.)). Related: Abruptly; abruptness.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper