Synonyms of abrupt

abrupt

adjective

ə-ˈbrəpt 

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

• blunt
• short
• gruff
• curt
• brusque
• unceremonious
• outspoken
• rude
• downright
• bluff
• snippy
• crusty
• crass
• brusk
• straightforward
• honest
• rough
• vulgar
• frank
• direct
• plain
• snappish
• candid
• short-spoken
• brief
• discourteous
• insensitive
• forthright
• inconsiderate
• disrespectful
• impolite
• tactless
• earnest
• undiplomatic
• open
• terse
• straight-out
• coarse
• artless
• laconic
• impertinent
• point-blank
• reserved
• plainspoken
• sincere
• reticent
• closemouthed
• uncouth
• free-spoken
• crude
• tight-lipped
• foursquare
• low

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• smooth
• circuitous
• diplomatic
• civil
• polite
• gracious
• courteous
• tactful
• considerate
• suave
• politic
• talkative
• voluble
• loquacious
• prolix
• mealymouthed
• verbose
• polished
• gallant
• long-winded
• genteel
• courtly
• refined
• cultivated

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

• steep
• precipitous
• mountainous
• vertical
• sheer
• sloped
• bold
• perpendicular
• craggy
• tilted
• hilly
• angled
• straight
• plumb
• tipped
• scarped
• slanted
• inclined
• heeled
• cocked
• hillocky
• canted
• listed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• gradual
• moderate
• gentle
• soft
• smooth
• flat
• level
• horizontal
• even
• flush
• unruffled
• plane
• unwrinkled

3

as in sudden

not expected

his abrupt reappearance seems to have caught everyone off guard

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sudden
• unexpected
• unanticipated
• unforeseen
• unlooked-for
• unlikely
• improbable
• startling
• unplanned
• unintended
• surprising

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• anticipated
• expected
• foreseen
• predicted
• unsurprising
• prophesied

Synonym Chooser

How is the word abrupt different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of abrupt are precipitous, sheer, and steep. While all these words mean "having an incline approaching the perpendicular," abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level.

a beach with an abrupt drop-off

When could precipitous be used to replace abrupt?

The words precipitous and abrupt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical.

the river winds through a precipitous gorge

When is sheer a more appropriate choice than abrupt?

The words sheer and abrupt can be used in similar contexts, but sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse.

sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers

When would steep be a good substitute for abrupt?

The synonyms steep and abrupt are sometimes interchangeable, but steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult.

a steep hill

a steep dive

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of abrupt

Ease off the accelerator gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding. —Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025

The Desert Queens’ stay in Palm Springs is coming to an abrupt end, with Hulu cancelling Mid-Century Modern after just one season, series creator Max Mutchnick announced Monday on Instagram. —Andy Swift, TVLine, 29 Sep. 2025

Dohn Community High School closed in early 2025, and school officials have blamed Davenport for its abrupt collapse. —Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Sep. 2025

After moving north and parallel to Florida’s Atlantic coast through Monday, the storm is now expected to make an abrupt turn east and away from the coast while intensifying into a hurricane by late Monday or Tuesday. —Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025

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