abruptly
adverb
abrupt·ly
ə-ˈbrəp(t)-lē 
: in an abrupt manner : in a sudden and unexpected way
He left abruptly.
The car swerved abruptly onto the exit ramp.
Her career as a psychologist ended abruptly several years ago when a hacker broke into some of her private client files and made them public …—
Michael Logan
Michael LoganThe small, rocky Anacapa Island [California] has steep cliffs which rise abruptly from the ocean on almost every side …—David J. Rutherford
David J. RutherfordExamples of abruptly in a Sentence
the car in front stopped abruptly, and we almost hit it
Recent Examples on the Web
Zoo Miami abruptly closed Saturday afternoon after a bomb threat for the second day in a row, according to a social-media post from the zoo.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
The clip on TikTok shows the seat jerking abruptly, apparently from forceful pushes by the person seated behind her.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Defense attorney Ben Florey, whose client pleaded out, said the decision to abruptly rest without putting forth witnesses was strategic.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Big Tent Coalition was a political action committee founded by Tim Ozinga, R-Mokena, who was state representative in the 37th House District before abruptly resigning in April 2024.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abruptly
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Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
The clip on TikTok shows the seat jerking abruptly, apparently from forceful pushes by the person seated behind her.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Defense attorney Ben Florey, whose client pleaded out, said the decision to abruptly rest without putting forth witnesses was strategic.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Big Tent Coalition was a political action committee founded by Tim Ozinga, R-Mokena, who was state representative in the 37th House District before abruptly resigning in April 2024.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abruptly
Cite this Entry
“Abruptly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abruptly. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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