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

Applications for a mortgage to purchase a home, which are less sensitive to sudden rate changes, rose 16% for the week and were 13% higher than the same week one year ago. —Diana Olick, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026

Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Jan. 2026

With the sudden news, the city of Conover and the Western Piedmont Workforce Development Board jumped into action. —Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2026

Surprisingly, the team found no evidence of inbreeding or harmful mutations increasing over time, suggesting the woolly rhinoceros maintained a large, stable population right up until its sudden disappearance. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026

Phrases Containing sudden

• all of a sudden

Video

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

Figuring it out at once