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
But the ex-CEO’s efforts came to an abrupt end after an investigation found Freixe had violated Nestlé’s code of conduct, according to a release late Monday.
—
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
Through a succession of job changes, a don’t-open-the-mail approach to bill paying, abrupt moves to and from a string of increasingly cluttered abodes, Uhle recounts with humor and remarkable detail the unstable circumstances of her youth.
—Kristen Kidd, Denver Post, 30 Aug. 2025
There's been an abrupt leadership change atop the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, the agency charged with enforcing civil rights law and investigating discrimination complaints in the workplace, housing and other areas of civil life.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 29 Aug. 2025
Less than two weeks after Superintendent Kevin Nohelty announced his abrupt retirement, the Dolton West Elementary District 148 board approved a contract for his interim replacement Tuesday.
—Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
Through a succession of job changes, a don’t-open-the-mail approach to bill paying, abrupt moves to and from a string of increasingly cluttered abodes, Uhle recounts with humor and remarkable detail the unstable circumstances of her youth.
—Kristen Kidd, Denver Post, 30 Aug. 2025
There's been an abrupt leadership change atop the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, the agency charged with enforcing civil rights law and investigating discrimination complaints in the workplace, housing and other areas of civil life.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 29 Aug. 2025
Less than two weeks after Superintendent Kevin Nohelty announced his abrupt retirement, the Dolton West Elementary District 148 board approved a contract for his interim replacement Tuesday.
—Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrupt
Adjective
-
Yacobi’s defense attorney, however, countered with the findings of a forensic pathologist who said Violet died from blunt force trauma consistent with a fall from a second-story balcony.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The coroner listed her cause of death as traumatic blunt force injuries and the manner of death as accidental.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Aviation resources and hand crews will play a primary role due to steep, rocky terrain and limited dozer access.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The district’s disparate parts would be connected largely by two-lane highways cutting through steep slopes of places such as the Modoc National Forest, where nervous drivers must beware of a lack of guardrails.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The condition causes sudden weakness or paralysis in muscles on one side of the face and is, in most cases, temporary, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
On its opening day, multiple patients from UHI made the short walk across Fisherman Street to the big blue bus to wait for their names to be called.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The advent of short-form cricket has seen fielding standards rise rapidly in the past decade.—
James Wallace,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
However, while the visit included an educational tour, meetings with local schoolchildren and even an unexpected downpour, the standout moment was the debut of Kate's new hairstyle.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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What begins as a casual conversation about the weather and aching hips gradually deepens into an unexpected friendship—and perhaps something more.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Landon was also famous for his double act with Victor French who played the gruff outdoor-living Isaiah Edwards in Little House.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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The new film from the husband-and-lesbian-wife duo Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke features Margaret Qualley playing gay (again) as the titular detective Honey, with Aubrey Plaza co-starring as a gruff cop who is the object of her affections.—
James Factora,
Them.,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
For example, In case of curt texts, instead of assuming hostility, default to curiosity.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
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The judge was curt but courteous; a Spanish-language interpreter was available on a large video screen to his right.—
Jordan Salama,
New Yorker,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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The result was completely was enchanting, including the brusque Communist-era service.—
Sarah Turner,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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The same substantive deficits afflict Louise-Parker, too, whose bright eyes and brusque wit are wasted in a role that’s villainous potential exists only in exposition.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrupt. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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