Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

suddenly

adverb

Synonyms and Antonyms of suddenly

1 with great suddenness

  • the bus stopped suddenly, and somebodyʼs lunch landed in the aisle
Synonyms of suddenly

abruptly, short
Words Related to suddenly

surprisingly, unexpectedly

directly, immediately, incontinently, instantaneously, instantly, promptly, pronto, right, right away, right off, straightaway

fast, full-tilt, posthaste, quick, quickly, rapidly, readily, snappily, speedily, swift, swiftly

hastily, impetuously, impulsively, rashly, recklessly
Phrases Synonymous with suddenly

all of a sudden (also on a sudden)
Near Antonyms of suddenly

gradually, slowly

hesitantly

2 without warning

  • suddenly, something fell out of the sky and landed in the field a few feet away
Synonyms of suddenly

aback, unanticipatedly, unaware, unawares, unexpectedly
Words Related to suddenly

abruptly, short

amazingly, astoundingly, surprisingly
Phrases Synonymous with suddenly

all of a sudden, off base
Near Antonyms of suddenly

laggardly, leisurely, pokily, slowly, sluggishly, tardily

obviously

Learn More about suddenly

  1. Spanish Central: Translation of suddenly Nglish: Translation of suddenly for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of suddenly for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up suddenly? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

perforce

by force of circumstances

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. gaslight It is a word, though.

  2. invasion CNN reporter questions President.

  3. relevancy Ariana Grande slams ex-fiancé.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games