1
as in gap
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge)
microscopic discontinuities in the connecting wires
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in interruption
a break in continuity
a noticeable discontinuity in the flow of the story
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 discontinuity
The researchers were trying to test a concept known as temporal discontinuity, in which a brief amount of time passes between the introduction of an item and the assignment of its name.
—
New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
In the experiment called a discontinuity condition, dog owners first showed the dogs the toys and then put the objects inside of a bucket.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Jan. 2026
In the event of a NOAA shut down of the lab, Scripps could seek alternate sources of funding to host the instruments atop the same peak or introduce a discontinuity in the record by moving the instruments elsewhere in Hawaii.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 1 July 2025
Where the VisEra device does fall short is in its response to light that comes in at an angle because of discontinuities in the metasurface.
—Gwendolyn Rak, IEEE Spectrum, 13 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for discontinuity
New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
In the experiment called a discontinuity condition, dog owners first showed the dogs the toys and then put the objects inside of a bucket.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Jan. 2026
In the event of a NOAA shut down of the lab, Scripps could seek alternate sources of funding to host the instruments atop the same peak or introduce a discontinuity in the record by moving the instruments elsewhere in Hawaii.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 1 July 2025
Where the VisEra device does fall short is in its response to light that comes in at an angle because of discontinuities in the metasurface.
—Gwendolyn Rak, IEEE Spectrum, 13 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for discontinuity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discontinuity
Noun
-
The gap has shown up in earnings as well.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
Seal gaps and cracks to prevent hot air from entering and cool air from escaping.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Game officials weren’t able to determine who had possession at the time of the interruption, so a jump ball ensued.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
The increase in uninsured children under 6 is likely due in part to the Medicaid unwinding process, which refers to the end of the pandemic-era requirement that those on Medicaid be able to stay enrolled in the program without interruption.—
Ciara McCarthy
June 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Your pilot can also fly you over to Dent Island for your tee time at the 18-hole championship course.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The sides or water bottle pockets end up with holes in them from rubbing against my tires, which makes pushing incredibly frustrating.—
Keely Cat-Wells,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
In short, the number of plastic nanoparticles in the arteries increased during the 10-year interval of the study.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
-
Shouts rang out at regular intervals, sometimes interrupting her mid-flow.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
A little over a year ago, Paul Simon returned to the road following a seven-year hiatus to promote his new LP Seven Psalms.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
4 June 2026
-
Speaking to Art in America last year, Baga described her return to filmmaking after first gaining recognition for her 3D video works and then taking a five-year hiatus to focus on painting.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discontinuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discontinuity. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
