1
as in blunt
being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner
the policeman's abrupt manner discouraged me from trying to claim that I hadn't seen the red light
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in steep
having an incline approaching the perpendicular
the gentle, rolling hills gradually give way to high mountains with abrupt sides
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sudden
not expected
his abrupt reappearance seems to have caught everyone off guard
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abrupt
The abrupt interference with normalcy had many financial, social and political impacts.
—
Dan Walters, Mercury News, 21 June 2025
Beyond that, the artists of the Baghdad Group–and the country at large–was dealing with abrupt and dramatic transitions from rule by the Ottomans, then the British, and then nationhood, with heavy British influence.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
However, for those who experience sudden financial windfalls—whether through lottery winnings, inheritances, business sales (selling a business), or legal settlements—the journey is far more abrupt and often overwhelming.
—Georgette Virgo, USA Today, 19 June 2025
His excellent band can walk a squall of droning guitars and pedal steel into an abrupt stop, hover a second, then surge forward as one, without sounding rehearsed.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Dan Walters, Mercury News, 21 June 2025
Beyond that, the artists of the Baghdad Group–and the country at large–was dealing with abrupt and dramatic transitions from rule by the Ottomans, then the British, and then nationhood, with heavy British influence.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
However, for those who experience sudden financial windfalls—whether through lottery winnings, inheritances, business sales (selling a business), or legal settlements—the journey is far more abrupt and often overwhelming.
—Georgette Virgo, USA Today, 19 June 2025
His excellent band can walk a squall of droning guitars and pedal steel into an abrupt stop, hover a second, then surge forward as one, without sounding rehearsed.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrupt
Adjective
-
An autopsy later revealed that O’Keefe had died from blunt force trauma and hypothermia.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
25 June 2025
-
Two of the dogs died of heat stroke, one of blunt force trauma, Orange County Deputy District Attorney Danica Drotman told Judge Kimberly Menninger during Monday’s hearing, drawing gasps from the owners in the courtroom gallery.—
Sean Emery,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Challenges need to be overcome, such as insufficient quality of input data, limited historical data, lack of highly skilled data scientists and analysts, regulatory compliance and steep adoption costs.—
Alexandr Khomich,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The Senate's steeper cuts to Medicaid are likely to irritate moderates while the higher price tag could alienate conservatives.—
Caitlin Yilek
July 1,
CBS News,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Talks with different countries are ongoing, but are subject to sudden changes in direction.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
-
Her particular specialism is making sudden bursts towards the near post, staying in the defender’s blind spot before suddenly jumping ahead of her marker to turn home a simple chance, often laid on a plate at club level by Caroline Graham Hansen, with whom Pajor also worked well at Wolfsburg.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Yes, Nuno will always be reminded about his short and unsuccessful stint at Tottenham Hotspur.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
-
Long story short, Shaulis made some unflattering comments about Paucek on social media.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite — and a threat to the entire system.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
1 July 2025
-
But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite—and a threat to the entire system.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Eric Bauman, a gruff and tireless political operative who led two of California’s most powerful Democratic organizations before resigning amid misconduct allegations, died Monday.—
Laura J. Nelson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
-
Cross-examination from the defense’s gruff Xavier Donaldson will continue first thing Tuesday when the trial picks up again.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
If that bluntness sound a little prosaic at first, there’s a curt poetry to it that comes into focus listening through 15 tracks that consist almost entirely of sisters Danielle, Alana and Este Haim handing in their respective resignations to long- or short-term partners, effectively immediately.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
20 June 2025
-
Long-winded or hesitant responses in meetings meet with a curt response.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Going from Pitch Stop to Drama Room meant a brusque shift, with all four projects grappling with questions either directly tied to or adjacent to modern masculinity.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
21 June 2025
-
That voice — brusque, solidly accented, cured in cigarette smoke, marinated in Jack Daniels — comes to me all the time.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrupt. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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