interrupt
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to cause or make a break in the continuity or uniformity of (a course, process, condition, etc.).
- Synonyms:
- intermit
- Antonyms:
- continue
-
to break off or cause to cease, as in the middle of something.
He interrupted his work to answer the bell.
- Antonyms:
- continue
-
to stop (a person) in the midst of doing or saying something, especially by an interjected remark.
May I interrupt you to comment on your last remark?
- Synonyms:
- intermit
verb (used without object)
noun
verb
-
to break the continuity of (an action, event, etc) or hinder (a person) by intrusion
-
(tr) to cease to perform (some action)
-
(tr) to obstruct (a view)
-
to prevent or disturb (a conversation, discussion, etc) by questions, interjections, or comment
noun
Synonym Usage
Interrupt, discontinue, suspend imply breaking off something temporarily or permanently. Interrupt may have either meaning: to interrupt a meeting. To discontinue is to stop or leave off, often permanently: to discontinue a building program. To suspend is to break off relations, operations, proceedings, privileges, etc., for a certain period of time, usually with the stipulation that they will be resumed at a stated time: to suspend operations during a strike.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
reinterruptverb
-
noninterruptiveadjective
-
self-interruptingadjective
-
interruptiveadjective
-
interruptivelyadverb
-
interruptibleadjective
-
uninterruptiveadjective
-
interruptednessnoun
-
noninterruptibleadjective
-
uninterruptingadjective
-
interruptedlyadverb
-
uninterruptibleadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has interruptedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have interruptedperfect
-
have been interruptingperfect progressive
-
has been interruptingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
am interruptingprogressive 1st person singular
-
are interruptingprogressive
-
interruptingparticiple
-
is interruptingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
interruptssingular 3rd person
Past
-
had interruptedperfect
-
had been interruptingperfect progressive
-
was interruptingprogressive singular
-
were interruptingprogressive plural
-
interruptedparticiple
-
interruptedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of interrupt
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English interrupten, from Latin interruptus, past participle of interrumpere “to break apart,” equivalent to inter- “between, among, together” + rup-, variant stem of rumpere “to burst” + -tus past participle suffix; see inter-, rupture
Explanation
To interrupt someone is to interfere in their activity, disrupt their conversation, or to disturb their peace and quiet. Imagine you're watching reruns of Jeopardy! and your mom interrupts you, threatening to turn off the TV unless you take the trash out. Then your brother interrupts your peace and quiet by shouting answers — wrong answers — at the TV. A special weather bulletin then interrupts your "regularly scheduled program" with a severe thunderstorm warning. And, to complete the job, lightning causes an interrupt (now used as a noun) in the power grid and your electricity goes off.
Vocabulary lists containing interrupt
Make a Break for It: Rupt
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Raymond's Run"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Lesson 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To interrupt this cycle, the researchers designed and tested several experimental compounds in cell cultures and mice.
From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026
But circumstances such as unexpected job loss, healthcare issues or caregiving responsibilities can interrupt even the best-laid plans.
From MarketWatch • May 29, 2026
Even on “Weekend Update,” playing her songs in what are nominally solo spots, she caroms off anchors Colin Jost or Michael Che, who comment, interrupt and regard her with bemusement.
From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026
Delays and dysfunction will slow hiring, interrupt clinical trials, and delay downstream commercialization.
From Barron's • May 5, 2026
The bank battle was an unpleasant interlude, but it didn’t interrupt what was becoming the key portion of most of Bobby’s days: reading.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
