1
as in abruptly
with great suddenness
the bus stopped suddenly, and somebody's lunch landed in the aisle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unexpectedly
without warning
suddenly, something fell out of the sky and landed in the field a few feet away
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of suddenly
The fatigue ignored by the excitement of returning suddenly returned.
—
Óscar Martínez & Carlos Martínez, The Dial, 16 Sep. 2025
In each video, there was a surprising event — like a mouse suddenly jumping out of the corner.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
Don’t be disturbed by an authority figure that might suddenly pounce.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
This has been a very shaky bullpen for a while, and expecting these relievers to suddenly become rock solid as the postseason approaches seems like an exercise in wishful thinking.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
When one of them suddenly dies in the middle of the night, emergency services refuse to send an ambulance because the cause of death hasn’t been verified by a doctor.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2025
Nearly 50 years later, the database and enterprise software giant has suddenly become a key player in AI.
—Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
Why did the White House suddenly switch positions and move toward this new arrangement?
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
There is tantalizing value in a market with suddenly more supply than demand.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
Óscar Martínez & Carlos Martínez, The Dial, 16 Sep. 2025
In each video, there was a surprising event — like a mouse suddenly jumping out of the corner.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
Don’t be disturbed by an authority figure that might suddenly pounce.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
This has been a very shaky bullpen for a while, and expecting these relievers to suddenly become rock solid as the postseason approaches seems like an exercise in wishful thinking.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
When one of them suddenly dies in the middle of the night, emergency services refuse to send an ambulance because the cause of death hasn’t been verified by a doctor.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2025
Nearly 50 years later, the database and enterprise software giant has suddenly become a key player in AI.
—Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
Why did the White House suddenly switch positions and move toward this new arrangement?
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
There is tantalizing value in a market with suddenly more supply than demand.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suddenly
Adverb
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Your transition came with a lot of attention, partly because of how abruptly Wendy’s show got canceled.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
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Kimmel’s future at ABC was thrown into doubt on Wednesday, when the network abruptly pulled the show following conservative outcry over a joke the host made during a recent monologue about the suspect accused of killing Charlie Kirk.—
Shirley Halperin,
Rolling Stone,
19 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Following on from last year's 34th First Annual Ig Nobel Prize ceremony at MIT, the 35th First Annual Ig Nobel Prize night took place at Boston University on September 18, celebrating real research with delightfully sideways investigative questions – and unexpectedly useful answers.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 Sep. 2025
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Someone could waltz in unexpectedly, challenging you to grow and live up to your potential.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Suddenly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suddenly. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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