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

Talks with different countries are ongoing, but are subject to sudden changes in direction. —Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025

The reason behind Relay 2’s sudden burst is not clear, but the team has come up with two potential explanations—and neither involves the satellite coming back to life like a zombie. —Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025

According to the insider, the atmosphere at the soirée was surprisingly low-key considering the high-profile guest list, though the night ended early due to a sudden thunderstorm. —Erin Clack, People.com, 27 June 2025

All of a sudden, now everybody's clowning around and no work is getting done. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 June 2025

Phrases Containing sudden

• all of a sudden

Video

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

Figuring it out at once