1
as in blunt
being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner
the policeman's abrupt manner discouraged me from trying to claim that I hadn't seen the red light
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in steep
having an incline approaching the perpendicular
the gentle, rolling hills gradually give way to high mountains with abrupt sides
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sudden
not expected
his abrupt reappearance seems to have caught everyone off guard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abrupt
Just as Ma’s critique of Chinese regulators at the Bund Summit preceded the abrupt suspension of Ant Financial’s IPO, Huang’s criticism on the margins of Computex was quickly answered.
—
Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 29 May 2025
National governments could be stepping in to make up for the abrupt withdrawal of U.S. aid, or non-governmental organizations on-the-ground could be finding other sources of funding.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 28 May 2025
The trial came to an abrupt halt around 10:30 a.m. when Jimenez, the arson investigator, said some of the fingerprints lifted during the Kid Cudi break-in investigation were destroyed.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 28 May 2025
Wallen's album comes out months after his abrupt exit from Saturday Night Live in March — which came five years after his controversial initial SNL appearance.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 29 May 2025
National governments could be stepping in to make up for the abrupt withdrawal of U.S. aid, or non-governmental organizations on-the-ground could be finding other sources of funding.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 28 May 2025
The trial came to an abrupt halt around 10:30 a.m. when Jimenez, the arson investigator, said some of the fingerprints lifted during the Kid Cudi break-in investigation were destroyed.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 28 May 2025
Wallen's album comes out months after his abrupt exit from Saturday Night Live in March — which came five years after his controversial initial SNL appearance.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrupt
Adjective
-
Her brand features blunt honesty and humor, as well as fashion, beauty, and lifestyle tips.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
22 May 2025
-
City’s video tribute was a tear-jerker, and less hardy characters than De Bruyne — nicknamed ‘the tumble dryer’ due to his dry (and blunt) approach — would surely have cracked and let the tears roll.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
Those numbers reported by authorities Tuesday reflect a steep increase from 2024, when cops answered just under 4,000 calls for service, made only 20 DUI arrests and reported no deaths from crashes over the three-day weekend.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
27 May 2025
-
Talks with China, which imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on the U.S., are ongoing after both countries agreed to lower steep tariffs.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
The 2014 retirement of Malcolm (who died in 2017) and sudden spring 2016 departure of Johnson due to the risk of complete hearing loss threw shade on the future.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
25 May 2025
-
As guests hurried into the building to escape the sudden downpour — with a few leaving early, uncertain about how the rest of the day would unfold — Ashley had to think on her feet.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
-
In a short address to the squad on Monday evening, Wiegman expressed, in front of Earps, sentiments of frustration, disappointment and anger at Earps’ decision before walking out of the room.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
-
But in the end, like so often before, their effort fell just short.—
Anthony De Leon,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
The community has grown up, but growth brought unexpected burdens.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
-
There are unexpected movements, too, plus frantic activity between the more than 20 frames that surround the stage.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
Peter Capaldi - Twelfth Doctor From 2014-2017, a gruff and action-ready Peter Capaldi shredded an electric guitar through the TARDIS.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
29 May 2025
-
Over a four-decade career that began with a role on Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Lyonne has become known for portraying characters that are gruff but likable, hard-nosed but sympathetic.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
In an attempt to punish new castmate Angela Oakley for bringing an uninvited guest, Porsha stonewalls Angela throughout her celebratory dinner, resorting to curt, one-word answers whenever prodded by the group to participate.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
12 May 2025
-
But his curt, at times browbeating, management style resurfaced, alienating some subordinates, according to former colleagues.—
Adam Goldman,
New York Times,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
But a few weeks before its initial six-month contract was set to run out, in mid-September 1994, things came to a brusque end.—
Christopher Clark,
The Dial,
13 May 2025
-
An outgoing, flirty foil to Ellie’s brusque, steely demeanor, Dina’s playful banter with her pal is laced with the charge of friendly conversation that could tip into romantic intimacy on a dime.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrupt. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share