discontinuity

noun

(ˌ)dis-ˌkän-tə-ˈnü-ə-tē How to pronounce discontinuity (audio)
Definition of discontinuitynext
1
as in gap
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge) microscopic discontinuities in the connecting wires

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 But it can also be read to argue that something well short of an extinction-level event can introduce real historical discontinuity. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026 Poor quality of care, care discontinuity and knowledge gaps are the most frequent factors in preventable maternal deaths. — Yenupini Joyce Adams, The Conversation, 27 May 2026 Seismologists identified 459 earthquakes since 1990 that occurred beneath the Mohorovičić discontinuity. — Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026 Advertisement Rather than a drastic discontinuity, Moltbook is best understood as the latest (and largest) in a line of experiments that tease out the limits of AI agents. — Tharin Pillay, Time, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discontinuity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discontinuity
  1. gap
  2. interruption
  3. hole
  4. interval
  5. hiatus
Noun
  • Democrats still have an advantage in voting by mail, but that gap is smaller than in 2022 as more Democrats shift to early in-person voting.
    — A Martínez, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The sell-off came despite the positive results, underscoring the gap between the treatment's clinical promise and investor expectations for its commercial potential.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of gap
Noun
  • Cheaper lift passes, shorter queues and fewer interruptions on the slopes also sweeten the deal, without compromising on skiing quality.
    — Will Barker, TheWeek, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Still, questions have persisted about who ordered the interruptions to the satellite internet system that Kyiv has relied on for years to counter Moscow's attacks.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of interruption
Noun
  • In higher-dimensional gravity, certain black-hole-like objects, such as black strings, can become unstable and fragment.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Sabbatini played his final six holes in 6-under par, which included his 25-foot eagle putt from the fringe on the par-5 15th hole.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of hole
Noun
  • The different categories of wellness providers range from high-intensity interval studios to specialty clinics offering vitamin injections.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Microwave 10 tablespoons of the butter in a large, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH in 15- to 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until melted, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of interval
Noun
  • Gillies has worked steadily since Silverchair’s hiatus, including the side project Tambalane with Wes Carr, his band Bento, whose debut Diamond Days arrived in 2012, and solo releases.
    — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The ponytail may only be on hiatus, but Bobiana is making a very strong case for an extended stay.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of hiatus

Browse Nearby Words

discontinuities
discontinuity
discontinuous
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Cite this Entry

“Discontinuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discontinuity. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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