in·ter·rupt
ˌin-tə-ˈrəpt 
interrupted; interrupting; interrupts
1
: to stop or hinder by breaking in
interrupted the speaker with frequent questions
2
: to break the uniformity or continuity of
a hot spell occasionally interrupted by a period of cool weather
: to break in upon an action
especially
: to break in with questions or remarks while another is speaking
in·ter·rupt
ˌin-tə-ˈrəpt
ˈin-tə-ˌrəpt
: a feature of a computer that permits the temporary interruption of one activity (such as the execution of a program) in order to perform another
also
: the interruption itself
Synonyms
Examples of interrupt in a Sentence
Verb
It's not polite to interrupt.
His dinner was interrupted by a phone call.
We interrupt this program to bring you a special announcement.
Every summer periods of cool weather occasionally interrupt the intense heat.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 25 Apr. 2024
Only a few minutes later, a ponytailed young man walking through the park interrupted us to request a selfie with him.
—Laura Rysman, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
When an important person was assassinated or a massacre occurred, broadcasters would interrupt regular programming to show a sober documentary.
—Karen Bakker, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Apr. 2024
In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic and an unexpected open-heart surgery interrupted that cadence.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2024
Long-term air improvements interrupted in the West Since the passage of the landmark Clean Air Act in 1970, the country's air has improved markedly.
—Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 24 Apr. 2024
Contrast Trump's behavior in this courtroom with the visible and audible displays of disgust that interrupted proceedings in two recent trials.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2024
Their life is interrupted by Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor), Art’s former practice partner and Tashi’s former boyfriend, whose own professional career is approaching washout status.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2024
The trial itself was interrupted by a three-day hearing to largely sort out the misconduct accusations against Pletcher.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
Sam Joseph, CNN, 5 Feb. 2024
Changing the number loaded into the timer alters the interval between interrupts.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2024
Although seven levels of interrupts were available for the 68000, only three were used.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 July 2023
But first, another actor who knows a thing or two about being in the business for years, interrupts.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 8 June 2023
His more reserved son Jamar – an indie label exec and publisher – interrupts to correct dates and keep the conversation focused on New Moves, the father-and-son album due out this spring by a supergroup of hip-hop and rock ‘n’ roll artists calling themselves The Chess Project.
—Steve Knopper, Billboard, 5 May 2023
In Alaska, Gibbs and McGee interrupt Sonova CEO Sonia Eberhard at the groundbreaking ceremony for the copper ore mine.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 12 Oct. 2021
Hearing their own name is a pattern interrupt that gets their attention.
—Forbes, 5 July 2021
Hearing that Jennifer has just called the president a misogynist on CNN, Nora has another advisor interrupt POTUS' on-camera interview.
—Nick Schager, EW.com, 13 Sep. 2021
Verb
Netflix’s content budget is stabilizing after years of growth, interrupted by spending dips in 2020 as a result of COVID and in 2023 given the Hollywood actors and writers strikes.
—Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 25 Apr. 2024
Only a few minutes later, a ponytailed young man walking through the park interrupted us to request a selfie with him.
—Laura Rysman, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
When an important person was assassinated or a massacre occurred, broadcasters would interrupt regular programming to show a sober documentary.
—Karen Bakker, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Apr. 2024
In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic and an unexpected open-heart surgery interrupted that cadence.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2024
Long-term air improvements interrupted in the West Since the passage of the landmark Clean Air Act in 1970, the country's air has improved markedly.
—Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 24 Apr. 2024
Contrast Trump's behavior in this courtroom with the visible and audible displays of disgust that interrupted proceedings in two recent trials.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2024
Their life is interrupted by Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor), Art’s former practice partner and Tashi’s former boyfriend, whose own professional career is approaching washout status.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2024
The trial itself was interrupted by a three-day hearing to largely sort out the misconduct accusations against Pletcher.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
Noun
Embiid’s unfortunate injury interrupts what has been another terrific campaign for the 29-year-old center.
—Sam Joseph, CNN, 5 Feb. 2024
Changing the number loaded into the timer alters the interval between interrupts.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2024
Although seven levels of interrupts were available for the 68000, only three were used.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 July 2023
But first, another actor who knows a thing or two about being in the business for years, interrupts.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 8 June 2023
His more reserved son Jamar – an indie label exec and publisher – interrupts to correct dates and keep the conversation focused on New Moves, the father-and-son album due out this spring by a supergroup of hip-hop and rock ‘n’ roll artists calling themselves The Chess Project.
—Steve Knopper, Billboard, 5 May 2023
In Alaska, Gibbs and McGee interrupt Sonova CEO Sonia Eberhard at the groundbreaking ceremony for the copper ore mine.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 12 Oct. 2021
Hearing their own name is a pattern interrupt that gets their attention.
—Forbes, 5 July 2021
Hearing that Jennifer has just called the president a misogynist on CNN, Nora has another advisor interrupt POTUS' on-camera interview.
—Nick Schager, EW.com, 13 Sep. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interrupt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near interrupt
Cite this Entry
“Interrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interrupt. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
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