interrupt

verb

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in·ter·rupt | \ ˌin-tə-ˈrəpt

interrupted; interrupting; interrupts

Definition of interrupt

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to break in upon an action especially : to break in with questions or remarks while another is speaking

interrupt

noun

in·ter·rupt | \ ˌin-tə-ˈrəpt

, ˈin-tə-ˌrəpt \

Definition of interrupt (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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

Other Words from interrupt Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About interrupt

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Other Words from interrupt

Verb

interruptible \ ˌin-tə-ˈrəp-tə-bəl

\ adjective

interruptive \ ˌin-tə-ˈrəp-tiv

\ adverb

Synonyms for interrupt

Synonyms: Verb

break in,
chime in,
chip in
[chiefly British],
cut in,
interpose,
intrude

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: Verb Time to interrupt the years-long slide into an all-or-nothing snoozefest of strikeouts or home runs, to change the conversations about spin rates and Spider Tack. — BostonGlobe.com, 23 June 2021 Air purifiers remove dust, odors and allergens that can hinder your breathing and interrupt your sleep. — Dave Johnson, Forbes, 18 June 2021 Angela Strand, the company's new chairwoman, said on Tuesday that the upheaval from the past week won't interrupt the company's day-to-day operations or its plans to start making the Endurance. — John Seewer, Detroit Free Press, 18 June 2021 Commercials interrupt the news at odd moments, interviews morph into dance breaks, and by the end, Cooper is cowering under her desk with a woman who just woke up from a four-year coma. — Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2020 Angela Strand, the company's new chairwoman, said on Tuesday that the upheaval from the past week won't interrupt the company's day-to-day operations or its plans to start making the Endurance. — John Seewer, Detroit Free Press, 18 June 2021 Angela Strand, the company’s new chairwoman, said on Tuesday that the upheaval from the past week won’t interrupt the company’s day-to-day operations or its plans to start making the Endurance. — cleveland, 17 June 2021 Angela Strand, the company's new chairwoman, said on Tuesday that the upheaval from the past week won't interrupt the company's day-to-day operations or its plans to start making the Endurance. — John Seewer, Star Tribune, 17 June 2021 Interrupters have connections in communities impacted by violence and leverage those connections to try to interrupt the cycle of crime. — Elizabeth Depompei, The Indianapolis Star, 28 May 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The starter interrupt may allow the vehicle to start when the transmission is not in PARK. — Detroit Free Press, 7 May 2021 The starter interrupt may allow the vehicle to start when the transmission is not in PARK. — Detroit Free Press, 7 May 2021 The starter interrupt may allow the vehicle to start when the transmission is not in PARK. — Detroit Free Press, 7 May 2021 The starter interrupt may allow the vehicle to start when the transmission is not in PARK. — Detroit Free Press, 7 May 2021 The starter interrupt may allow the vehicle to start when the transmission is not in PARK. — Detroit Free Press, 7 May 2021 The starter interrupt may allow the vehicle to start when the transmission is not in PARK. — Detroit Free Press, 7 May 2021 The starter interrupt may allow the vehicle to start when the transmission is not in PARK. — Detroit Free Press, 30 Apr. 2021 Prospects often avoid traditional cold calls, so sales professionals should adopt asynchronous video as a pattern interrupt. — Expert Panel®, Forbes, 19 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'interrupt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.