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
Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
Document shredding versus interrupting an official meeting Congress approved the law in 2002 as part of an overhaul of the financial system.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
As many as 95 million people watched the chase unfold, with coverage interrupting the NBA Finals.
—Ken Ritter, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024
But when Deadpool tried to explain his theories for the movie, he was interrupted by a cellphone in the audience.
—Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024
Another method involved inserting an object in the cervix to try to interrupt a pregnancy or terminate it by causing an infection, Dr. Schoen said.
—Pam Belluck, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Two days later, police in Oakley allegedly interrupted a group attempting to break through the front gate of a Payless Tobacco store, chased them onto Highway 4 and disabled their Dodge Charger with spike strips.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
And that’s all a miracle is: when the way things are supposed to go gets interrupted.
—Hazlitt, 3 Apr. 2024
Gaza protesters interrupt fundraiser Ahead of the show, supporters lined barricades along the streets as the motorcade with the three presidents arrived.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 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
Jason and the event’s other guest star, Eagles’ offensive tackle Lane Johnson, iconically interrupted the match, but their identities were concealed until Rey Mysterio and Andrade were declared the winners.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
Document shredding versus interrupting an official meeting Congress approved the law in 2002 as part of an overhaul of the financial system.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
As many as 95 million people watched the chase unfold, with coverage interrupting the NBA Finals.
—Ken Ritter, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024
But when Deadpool tried to explain his theories for the movie, he was interrupted by a cellphone in the audience.
—Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024
Another method involved inserting an object in the cervix to try to interrupt a pregnancy or terminate it by causing an infection, Dr. Schoen said.
—Pam Belluck, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Two days later, police in Oakley allegedly interrupted a group attempting to break through the front gate of a Payless Tobacco store, chased them onto Highway 4 and disabled their Dodge Charger with spike strips.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
And that’s all a miracle is: when the way things are supposed to go gets interrupted.
—Hazlitt, 3 Apr. 2024
Gaza protesters interrupt fundraiser Ahead of the show, supporters lined barricades along the streets as the motorcade with the three presidents arrived.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 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 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share