sudden

adjective

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

Synonyms & Antonyms for sudden

Synonyms: Adjective

abrupt, unanticipated, unexpected, unforeseen, unlooked-for

Antonyms: Adjective

anticipated, expected, foreseen

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

Andy Wong/Press Pool The sudden deterioration of trade talks between the U.S. and China this week has raised the prospect of a once-unimaginable rupture between the world’s two largest economies. — Yoko Kubota, WSJ, "Can This Marriage Be Saved? Chinese-U.S. Integration Frays," 9 May 2019 In her book Kate: The Future Queen, royal expert and biographer Katie Nicholl explains how the sudden loss impacted Will and his attitude toward his social life. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Prince William Was "Painfully Shy" in School, Particularly After Princess Diana's Death," 28 Apr. 2019 The mission of the UDI is striking given the history of Oak Ridge, a city of strange and sudden origins. — Emily Strasser, Curbed, "A secret city opens up," 8 Aug. 2018 With 42 tackles for losses during an All-Arizona junior season at Central, Kwete is a sudden-impact player. — Richard Obert, azcentral, "Top 10 Arizona high school football defensive tackles for 2018," 12 July 2018 So nobody is necessarily expecting a sudden outburst flood as Greenland melts. — Christopher Mooney, BostonGlobe.com, "Scientists may have solved a huge riddle that led to more than 1,000 years of cold on Earth. It doesn’t bode well," 12 July 2018 During a sudden rain shower, a man invited us into his home for tea or coffee. — Doug Hansen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Hiking Spain's wild coast," 12 July 2018 But then came the sudden call on July 2, informing staff that their campus was shuttering, and with it, their jobs. — Annabelle Williams, Philly.com, "Art Institute of Philadelphia closing leaves students and employees with hard decisions," 12 July 2018 All of a sudden this mysterious character comes out of nowhere. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "All the People Who Could've Killed Nolan Hotchkiss on "Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists"," 28 Mar. 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.