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
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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
The retrial of Karen Read, the Massachusetts woman accused of hitting her police officer boyfriend with her car and leaving him for dead, will resume following an abrupt one-day break in court proceedings.
—
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 15 May 2025
Viewers praised the officers for their swift action — and playfully chided the deer for its abrupt exit.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
Copyright Office, whose abrupt dismissal by President Donald Trump this past weekend seemed to mark a major blow for Big Tech against content rightsholders.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
While part of that abrupt leap stemmed from the fallout of the pandemic, including the minor-league season being canceled, that’s not what would happen today.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 15 May 2025
Viewers praised the officers for their swift action — and playfully chided the deer for its abrupt exit.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
Copyright Office, whose abrupt dismissal by President Donald Trump this past weekend seemed to mark a major blow for Big Tech against content rightsholders.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
While part of that abrupt leap stemmed from the fallout of the pandemic, including the minor-league season being canceled, that’s not what would happen today.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrupt
Adjective
-
Vanney’s assessment of the loss was incredibly blunt.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
11 May 2025
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Mallen’s character is a blunt, irreverent woman with a thick Southern accent, a tendency toward microaggressions and a talent for manipulation.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
The Lower Gauley in late summer delivers intense Class V action through steep, technical drops.—
West Virginia Tourism,
AFAR Media,
15 May 2025
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The most significant example has been Apple’s efforts to shore up iPhone production in India in a bid to avoid the steep U.S. tariffs placed on China that are now paused.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
The band’s message may have got slightly lost, however, amid their acid-trip screen visuals, military drag, and the climactic near-naked reveals, not to mention the sudden appearance of a rocket-straddling Vladimir Lenin impersonator who looked more like the Smurfs’ arch-nemesis Gargamel.—
Nick Allen,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
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In practical terms, a sudden revocation of a nonprofit’s status would instantly derail PSLF credit for its employees through no fault of their own.—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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The latter is the name of a short projection show at Disney California Adventure (DCA).—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
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Studies with limited parameters like small participant groups and short trial periods indicate that turmeric aids in healing these conditions.—
Rebeca Schiller,
Verywell Health,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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In a speech Thursday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell suggested rates could be higher in the long term because of unexpected events that constrain supplies and push up prices.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
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The 1990s were a big time for kitchen sink tabletop RPGs that smashed together genres in unexpected ways.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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The rest of the film takes place in a prison, where Henry’s gruff but philosophical cellmate, Gene (Shia LaBeouf), tries to teach him the ways of the world.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2025
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Fimmel digs into the more stereotypical gruff bounty hunter with relish, though the character itself is a western staple.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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But his curt, at times browbeating, management style resurfaced, alienating some subordinates, according to former colleagues.—
Adam Goldman,
New York Times,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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For example, while one team member might feel valued by direct and candid communication, another may interpret the same approach as brusque or insensitive, instead needing more consideration or attention.—
Aparna Rae,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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Verstappen, typically a bit brusque in interviews, gave the Aussie his flowers.—
Nick Remsen,
Vogue,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrupt. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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