Synonyms of sudden

sudden

adjective

ˈsə-dᵊn 

as in unexpected

not expected

the sudden snowstorm resulted in thousands of evening commuters abandoning their cars on impassable highways

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unexpected
• abrupt
• unforeseen
• unanticipated
• unlooked-for
• unlikely
• surprising
• startling
• improbable
• unplanned
• unintended

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• anticipated
• foreseen
• expected
• predicted
• prophesied
• unsurprising

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sudden contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sudden are abrupt, headlong, impetuous, and precipitate. While all these words mean "showing undue haste or unexpectedness," sudden stresses unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action.

flew into a sudden rage

When might abrupt be a better fit than sudden?

Although the words abrupt and sudden have much in common, abrupt stresses curtness and a lack of warning or ceremony.

an abrupt refusal

When is it sensible to use headlong instead of sudden?

While in some cases nearly identical to sudden, headlong stresses rashness and lack of forethought.

a headlong flight from arrest

When is impetuous a more appropriate choice than sudden?

The meanings of impetuous and sudden largely overlap; however, impetuous stresses extreme impatience or impulsiveness.

an impetuous lover proposing marriage

Where would precipitate be a reasonable alternative to sudden?

While the synonyms precipitate and sudden are close in meaning, precipitate stresses lack of due deliberation and implies prematureness of action.

the army's precipitate withdrawal

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sudden

The sudden removal of significant leaf tissue can also weaken its root system, adds Brian Feldman, senior director of technical operations at TruGreen. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 8 Apr. 2026

While driving, avoid sudden stops and sudden acceleration, which decreases fuel efficiency. —Tara Lynch, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026

The only way forward is to scour the space for signs of anything out of the ordinary, from changes in the ads on the wall to a sudden flood that threatens to wash you away, and to turn back if there’s an anomaly. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026

Be careful of sudden impulses to travel or do something unusual. —Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026

Phrases Containing sudden

• all of a sudden

Video

'All over sudden' vs. 'All of a sudden'

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