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
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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
Just as Ma’s critique of Chinese regulators at the Bund Summit preceded the abrupt suspension of Ant Financial’s IPO, Huang’s criticism on the margins of Computex was quickly answered.
—
Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 29 May 2025
National governments could be stepping in to make up for the abrupt withdrawal of U.S. aid, or non-governmental organizations on-the-ground could be finding other sources of funding.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 28 May 2025
The trial came to an abrupt halt around 10:30 a.m. when Jimenez, the arson investigator, said some of the fingerprints lifted during the Kid Cudi break-in investigation were destroyed.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 28 May 2025
Wallen's album comes out months after his abrupt exit from Saturday Night Live in March — which came five years after his controversial initial SNL appearance.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 29 May 2025
National governments could be stepping in to make up for the abrupt withdrawal of U.S. aid, or non-governmental organizations on-the-ground could be finding other sources of funding.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 28 May 2025
The trial came to an abrupt halt around 10:30 a.m. when Jimenez, the arson investigator, said some of the fingerprints lifted during the Kid Cudi break-in investigation were destroyed.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 28 May 2025
Wallen's album comes out months after his abrupt exit from Saturday Night Live in March — which came five years after his controversial initial SNL appearance.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrupt
Adjective
-
Isaac Leal, 17, died on Monday, June 2, from a blunt force injury to the head, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2025
-
His autopsy revealed his head had blunt force trauma.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
In contrast, late adopters face higher opportunity costs, slower innovation cycles, and steeper learning curves.—
Rhett Power,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
-
Eight years ago, Hurricane Harvey barreled in off the Gulf of Mexico and lingered, pouring four days of rain over the city of Houston. Unlike North Carolina's steep mountains, Houston is low, barely rising above sea level.—
Laura Sullivan,
NPR,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
Written in Latin, the coroners' rolls are records of sudden or suspicious deaths as investigated by a jury of local men, called together by the coroner to establish facts and reach a verdict.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 June 2025
-
Keep a safe distance: Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
That memory is a very short but powerful memory to me.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2025
-
Pool offers a short menu of beef burgers, turkey burgers, hot dogs and fries.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Estate sales are a treasure trove for uncovering vintage clothing, and real hidden gems are often tucked away in unexpected places.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
7 June 2025
-
She’s taken her most unexpected pivot yet on this epic kiss-off from Portrait of My Heart, with visceral riffs and overdriven melodies evoking the high-wire emo theatrics that infiltrated MTV during the 33-year-old’s own teenage years.—
Jenn Pelly,
Time,
7 June 2025
Adjective
-
Peter Capaldi - Twelfth Doctor From 2014-2017, a gruff and action-ready Peter Capaldi shredded an electric guitar through the TARDIS.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
29 May 2025
-
Over a four-decade career that began with a role on Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Lyonne has become known for portraying characters that are gruff but likable, hard-nosed but sympathetic.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
There was drama between Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, leading to curt radio messages by Hamilton accusing Ferrari of poor teamwork when he got stuck behind his teammate while on faster tires.—
Sahil Kapur,
NBC news,
4 May 2025
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In an attempt to punish new castmate Angela Oakley for bringing an uninvited guest, Porsha stonewalls Angela throughout her celebratory dinner, resorting to curt, one-word answers whenever prodded by the group to participate.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
But a few weeks before its initial six-month contract was set to run out, in mid-September 1994, things came to a brusque end.—
Christopher Clark,
The Dial,
13 May 2025
-
An outgoing, flirty foil to Ellie’s brusque, steely demeanor, Dina’s playful banter with her pal is laced with the charge of friendly conversation that could tip into romantic intimacy on a dime.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrupt. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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