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
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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
-
The rainfall threatened flooding and mudslides, especially in areas with steep terrain.—
Luis Alberto Cruz,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2025
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If that happens, expect a sharp reset in valuations, a spike in bond yields, and a steep correction in the S&P 500.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
Her husband had always had a soft spot for yams and was glad for the sudden bounty.—
Zadie Smith,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
-
Talks with different countries are ongoing, but are subject to sudden changes in direction.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
The short version is that methane is embedded in coal deposits, and as miners dig to expose coal seams, the gas escapes, and continues to do so long after a coal mine reaches the end of its operating life.—
Umair Irfan,
Wired News,
21 June 2025
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Yes, Nuno will always be reminded about his short and unsuccessful stint at Tottenham Hotspur.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
Whether your brand is facing a lull in customers due to the off-season, cost increases or even an unexpected global health crisis, flexibility is critical to embrace.—
Carey Bringle,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
Most recently, the sporty staple appeared (and reappeared) in Chanel’s resort 2026 collection in unexpected pairings that were anything but prim.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
20 June 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
-
And Register Calibration: What reads as efficient in American English might come across as curt or even disrespectful in Japanese.—
Alessa Cross,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2025
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Grumpy and delightfully curt, Martin gives up his successful career as a surgeon after developing a fear of blood and takes over as a general practitioner in a small seaside town called Portwenn full of reliably quirky characters.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 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
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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 4 Jul. 2025.
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