interrupt

verb

ˌin-tə-ˈrəpt How to pronounce interrupt (audio)
Definition of interruptnext
as in to intrude
to cause a disruption in a conversation or discussion it's rude to interrupt when someone is making an important point

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 interrupt Judge Sullivan interrupted and that led to a heated exchange. — Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026 The researchers introduced dozens of fruit flies into each enclosure overnight, using their buzzing to interrupt the spiders’ slumber. — New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026 Every few minutes, the 48-year-old would interrupt her day job in São Paulo as a copy editor and check WhatsApp for new instructions. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026 The arid landscape is creased with rugged mountain ranges, cleaved by scenic canyons and filled with vast stretches of open space interrupted by midsize cities and small towns that spring like oases from the desert floor. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for interrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interrupt
  1. intrude
  2. bother
  3. cut in
  4. add
  5. interpose
  6. break in
Verb
  • To highlight the allegorical nature of the tale, the outside world almost never intrudes.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The national fight intruded on the final days of the Illinois races.
    — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of intrude
Verb
  • In fact, the movie doesn’t even bother revealing Fang’s ultimate fate; but then again, he’s been fully vindicated in the court of public opinion, so who cares?
    — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Nothing shows the world that the outside noise doesn’t bother you quite like preparing a statement ahead of time about how much the outside noise doesn’t bother you.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of bother
Verb
  • The actor and producer has swapped the shaggy, caramel-toned lengths of recent months for a razor-sharp, jaw-grazing cut in a cool-toned shade of blonde.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The gap in total investment between the richest and poorest children is cut in half, from 24% to 12%.
    — David Blazar, The Conversation, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of cut in
Verb
  • The acquisition adds expertise in developing AI systems that allow robots to understand their environments and perform physical tasks.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Judd Caulfield scored twice, rookie Roger McQueen added another and Leo Carlsson had three assists to help the Ducks win for the second time in nine games.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of add
Verb
  • The short-haired friend interposed herself on the bench between the twenty-three-year-old woman and the thirty-five-year-old man, putting her arm around the former and totally ignoring the latter.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
  • Language, being a product of rationality, lacks the capacity to interpose itself.
    — Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 13 June 2026
Definition of interpose
Verb
  • Capitalism is broken in the way in which it is being experienced by so many working-class Americans and middle-class Americans.
    — Spencer Kimball,Garrett Downs,Dan Mangan,Kevin Breuninger,Justin Papp, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
  • After a two-week break in September, efforts shift to preparations for the general election including another round of mail-in voting and early in-person voting at the town hall.
    — Lisa Hughes, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of break in

Browse Nearby Words

interrogatory
interrupt
interrupted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Interrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interrupt. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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