abrupt

[ uh-bruhpt ]

adjective

1. sudden or unexpected:

   an abrupt departure.

   Synonyms: sharp, quick

   Antonyms: gradual

2. curt or brusque in speech, manner, etc.:

   an abrupt reply.

   Synonyms: blunt, hasty, hurried, short

   Antonyms: courteous, patient, deliberate

3. terminating or changing suddenly:

   an abrupt turn in a road.

   Synonyms: sharp, quick

   Antonyms: gradual

4. having many sudden changes from one subject to another; lacking in continuity or smoothness:

   an abrupt writing style.

   Synonyms: uneven, broken, discontinuous

5. steep; precipitous:

   an abrupt descent.

6. Botany. truncate ( def 4 ).

abrupt

/ əˈbrʌpt /

adjective

1. sudden; unexpected
2. brusque or brief in speech, manner, etc; curt
3. (of a style of writing or speaking) making sharp transitions from one subject to another; disconnected
4. precipitous; steep
5. botany shaped as though a part has been cut off; truncate
6. geology (of strata) cropping out suddenly

Derived Forms

• abˈruptly, adverb
• abˈruptness, noun

Other Words From

• ab·rupt·ly adverb
• ab·rupt·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abrupt¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin abruptus “broken off”(past participle of abrumpere ), equivalent to ab- ab- + -rup- “break” + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of abrupt¹

C16: from Latin abruptus broken off, from ab- ¹+ rumpere to break

Synonym Study

See sudden.

Example Sentences

"The guy was quite abrupt, quite pushy, quite rude."

From BBC

Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year after an all-you-can-eat shrimp fiasco contributed to financial losses; Rubio’s Coastal Grill did the same following the abrupt closure of 48 locations in California.

From Los Angeles Times

“Experts have talked about an absolutely unprecedented situation,” he said, citing the “abrupt nature of meteorology”.

From BBC

They also racked up a slew of hits, including “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Steal My Girl,” before going on hiatus in 2015 after Malik’s abrupt exit.

From Los Angeles Times

California officials have joined a legal effort to restore water to the Kern River after an abrupt shutoff of water dried up the river and killed thousands of fish in Bakersfield.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hasty
• hurried
• precipitous
• quick
• sudden
• surprising
• unanticipated
• unexpected
• unforeseen