sudden

adjective

Save Word

sud·den | \ ˈsə-dᵊn

Definition of sudden

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : happening or coming unexpectedly a sudden shower

b : changing angle or character all at once a sudden drop in the ocean bottom

2 : marked by or manifesting abruptness or haste a sudden departure

3 : made or brought about in a short time : prompt

sudden

noun

Definition of sudden (Entry 2 of 2)

obsolete

: an unexpected occurrence : emergency

all of a sudden or less commonly on a sudden

: sooner than was expected : at once

Other Words from sudden Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about sudden

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for sudden

Adjective

precipitate, headlong, abrupt, impetuous, sudden mean showing undue haste or unexpectedness. precipitate stresses lack of due deliberation and implies prematureness of action. the army's precipitate withdrawal headlong stresses rashness and lack of forethought. a headlong flight from arrest abrupt stresses curtness and a lack of warning or ceremony. an abrupt refusal impetuous stresses extreme impatience or impulsiveness. an impetuous lover proposing marriage sudden stresses unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action. flew into a sudden rage

Examples of sudden in a Sentence

Adjective a sudden change in temperature Sudden fame can be difficult to deal with. She had a sudden urge to be outside. His death was very sudden. a sudden turn in the road I was surprised by her sudden decision to quit. The director's sudden departure leaves the organization's future uncertain.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective All of a sudden, Jim Farley is talking about his grandfather — a man who began at Ford Motor Company carrying a metal lunch bucket into the factory at the turn of the 20th Century. — Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, "At Ford, COO Jim Farley looks to speed as he plans to move company into the future," 8 Feb. 2020 But a sudden shift from cold weather to warm weather can cause plants with low chilling requirements to bloom early, Cappiello said. — Ben Tobin, The Courier-Journal, "Hey bud! Those blooms you're seeing during winter may not be bad for your plants," 10 Jan. 2020 And all of the sudden they were all gone and I was left with now what? — Laraib Hashmi, Houston Chronicle, "Sunday Conversation: Gypsie Hufnagle, volunteer at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands, says volunteering is her passion," 7 Jan. 2020 China is slowing, and Europe, compounded by a sudden shift from diesel cars, is a thorn. — Clifford Atiyeh, Car and Driver, "Here's What U.S. Auto Sales Looked Like in 2019," 6 Jan. 2020 The sudden seasonal shift has left Muskego's fall routines a little out of whack, though the city isn't unprepared for early snows. — Jim Riccioli, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Early snowfall might strain some Waukesha County cities' plowing and salt budgets," 19 Nov. 2019 In Parkville, the traffic is further complicated by two overpasses, I-84 and the Amtrak trestle, that inject sudden shifts in natural lighting with which drivers must deal. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, courant.com, "Reviving Parkville: to transform a Hartford neighborhood into a modern, walkable urban center you’ve got to deal with all the cars," 14 Nov. 2019 Their sudden shifts come as former Vice President Joe Biden has failed to seize control of the race and has seen his poll numbers decrease. — Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, "A 'Hail Mary': Why Deval Patrick thinks he has a shot in the 2020 Democratic primary," 14 Nov. 2019 Pentagon officials were alarmed by the sudden shift in Syria policy, but top officials never made their views public. — BostonGlobe.com, "WASHINGTON — The top American diplomat on the ground in northern Syria has criticized the Trump administration for not trying harder to prevent Turkey’s military offensive there last month — and said Turkish-backed militia fighters committed “war crimes and ethnic cleansing.”," 8 Nov. 2019

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