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
Related Words
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
- interruptedly adverb
- interruptedness noun
- interruptible adjective
- interruptive adjective
- interruptively adverb
- noninterruptible adjective
- noninterruptive adjective
- reinterrupt verb
- self-interrupting adjective
- uninterruptible adjective
- uninterrupting adjective
- uninterruptive adjective
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; inter-, rupture
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.
My thoughts were interrupted by the side entrance bell.
From Literature
She didn’t like to be interrupted when she was reading, even when I had to give her some medication.
From Literature
In this environment, an effective national counterterrorism strategy would likely point to stopping terrorism further upstream, interrupting radicalization and violent mobilization at an earlier stage.
From Los Angeles Times
They can interrupt any of their monthly shows, including its one-year anniversary show in May.
From Los Angeles Times
It was clutching half a hazelnut in its paws, and looked up peevishly at being interrupted.
From Literature
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.
