abrupt

3 synonyms and 2 antonyms for abrupt, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Happening suddenly and without warning.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

sharp

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

disconnected

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

precipitous

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Happening suddenly and without warning.

“The meeting came to an abrupt end when the fire alarm sounded.”

sharp disconnected precipitous

Opposites

gradual

2. adj

Blunt or curt in manner, verging on rude.

“Her abrupt reply left him wondering what he'd done wrong.”

Opposites

courteous

How to use abrupt

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

abrupt end abrupt change abrupt manner

Etymology

From Latin abruptus, "broken off," the past participle of abrumpo — formed from ab ("away") plus rumpo ("to break"), the same root as "rupture" and "erupt."

Full origin of abrupt →

Frequently asked questions

What does “abrupt” mean?

The word “abrupt” means happening suddenly and without warning. In plain terms, sudden and unexpected — whether it's an ending, a steep drop, or someone's curt tone of voice.

How do you pronounce “abrupt”?

“Abrupt” is pronounced uh-BRUHPT (/əˈbɹʌpt/ in IPA).

How do you use “abrupt” in a sentence?

Here is “abrupt” used in a sentence: “The meeting came to an abrupt end when the fire alarm sounded.”

What part of speech is “abrupt”?

“Abrupt” is an adjective.

Where does the word “abrupt” come from?

The word “abrupt” comes from Latin. From Latin abruptus, "broken off," the past participle of abrumpo — formed from ab ("away") plus rumpo ("to break"), the same root as "rupture" and "erupt.".

Is “abrupt” a common word?

“Abrupt” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “abrupt” have?

“Abrupt” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: happening suddenly and without warning.

People also searched

sharp gradual disconnected courteous precipitous

Nearby words

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