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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abrupt Ease off the gas pedal gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding. Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 30 July 2025 Albertsons is seeking details about the abrupt resignation of former Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen amid an internal ethics investigation. Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025 On Tuesday, July 22, Siren’s Curse, the newest attraction at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio, came to an abrupt halt at the top of its highest point, local news outlet Akron Beacon Journal reported. Latoya Gayle, People.com, 28 July 2025 But Jose says the sudden overall enthusiasm for food additive regulation reflects consumer frustration with federal inaction and an abrupt political embrace of the issue by conservative lawmakers historically resistant to regulation. Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrupt
Adjective
  • Some policymakers have advocated for blunt price caps as a quick solution to escalating drug prices.
    Rita Numerof, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Gone are the Davos power sheaths and blunt business bob from her time as White House senior adviser.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • While about half of Baby Boomers will have no long-term care expenses, costs will be steep for those who do.
    Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Per Baseball Savant, Bichette has ranked 406 among major leaguers for sprint speed this year, a steep decline from the 289th spot last year.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Be aware of sudden re-direction of fires in response to passing outflow boundaries.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Leave plenty of 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, 17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The louder the sound, the shorter amount of time a person should be exposed to it.
    Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The Elevated Velocity’s profile ― long hood, spacious interior, short rear overhang, fastback rear end ― is consistent with the current Cadillac Lyriq and Celestiq.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The trend is not entirely unexpected, the survey's key findings read, as many of the structures were built during the mid-to-late 20th century, a period dominated by brutalist and utilitarian architectural styles.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Aug. 2025
  • The ripple effect of Social Studies wasn’t entirely unexpected.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The central quartet of friends have a supportive connection underneath all their hormones and egos — Elba proves a standout as the gruff but warm defacto leader — that makes their bloody and sexed-up misadventures oddly wholesome.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Dougal MacKenzie loves a good prank — and so do the actors who play the gruff Highland Scot.
    Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • If that bluntness sound a little prosaic at first, there’s a curt poetry to it that comes into focus listening through 15 tracks that consist almost entirely of sisters Danielle, Alana and Este Haim handing in their respective resignations to long- or short-term partners, effectively immediately.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Israelis are friendly and curious (if sometimes brusque) and Israel’s tourism industry is an important one.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Abrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrupt. Accessed 26 Aug. 2025.

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