interrupt
8 synonyms and 2 antonyms for interrupt, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To break in on someone who is speaking or on an ongoing action.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use interrupt
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
interrupt a conversation
sorry to interrupt
interrupt someone
Etymology
From Latin interrumpere, "to break apart," from inter- ("between") plus rumpere ("to break").
Full origin of interrupt →Frequently asked questions
What does “interrupt” mean?
The word “interrupt” means to break in on someone who is speaking or on an ongoing action. In plain terms, to break into something that is happening or being said.
How do you pronounce “interrupt”?
“Interrupt” is pronounced ihn-tuh-RUHPT (/ˌɪntəˈɹʌpt/ in IPA).
How do you use “interrupt” in a sentence?
Here is “interrupt” used in a sentence: “Please don't interrupt me while I'm on the phone.”
What is another word for “interrupt”?
Words with a similar meaning to “interrupt” include interject.
What is the opposite of “interrupt”?
The opposite of “interrupt” — its antonyms — are continue and resume.
What part of speech is “interrupt”?
Depending on how it is used, “interrupt” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “interrupt” come from?
The word “interrupt” comes from Latin. From Latin interrumpere, "to break apart," from inter- ("between") plus rumpere ("to break").
Is “interrupt” a common word?
“Interrupt” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between interrupt and interject?
Interrupt means to break in on someone who is speaking or on an ongoing action, often stopping it entirely for a moment, while interject usually means to insert a brief remark or comment, sometimes without fully stopping the flow of conversation. Interject can feel less disruptive than interrupt, though both involve breaking into speech.
What does interrupt mean in computing?
In computing, an interrupt is a signal that makes a computer pause its current task to deal with something more urgent, such as input from a keyboard or a hardware error. Once the more urgent task is handled, the computer typically resumes what it was doing before the interrupt occurred.
Is it rude to interrupt someone in conversation?
Interrupting is generally considered impolite in most conversational contexts because it breaks in on someone before they finish speaking, though norms vary by culture and situation, such as fast-paced debates or urgent emergencies where interrupting may be necessary or expected.
