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.

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

Other Word Forms

• abruptly adverb
• abruptness 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

Adrian Alvarado was on the team last year but almost didn’t come out this year after last season’s abrupt halt.

From Los Angeles Times

It might feel as if everything is falling into place for the redshirt sophomore transfer who became the nation’s most polarizing college football player last spring in the wake of his abrupt departure from Tennessee.

From Los Angeles Times

Steve Bedrosian and Mark Davis also won Cy Young Awards in the 1980s, but Eckersley taking home the Cy Young and MVP in ’92 marked the abrupt end of relievers winning either award.

From Los Angeles Times

She added she made the abrupt exit after a “heated exchange” with her boss.

From Los Angeles Times

Albeit an amicable split, it was still abrupt, with the latter experiencing a spiritual reawakening that set a hard contrast to the drug-dealing-infused lyrics that often occupied their music.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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