SUDDENLY Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

suddenly

adverb

Definition of suddenly next

as in abruptly

with great suddenness the bus stopped suddenly, and somebody's lunch landed in the aisle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unexpectedly

without warning suddenly, something fell out of the sky and landed in the field a few feet away

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 suddenly Sullivan says everyday activities suddenly carried risks most people never think about. —

Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026 Busch, who won more races in NASCAR's top three series than anyone in history, died suddenly on Thursday after passing out a day earlier in a driving simulator at General Motors facility in Concord, North Carolina. —

Mark Osborne, CBS News, 23 May 2026 From ground level, the waterfall reveals itself in sections, but from above, the full geography suddenly becomes clear. —

Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026 Middlesbrough, meanwhile, had mentally closed the book on their season before suddenly being thrust back into the spotlight. —

Dean Jones, New York Times, 23 May 2026 Busch, the all-time NASCAR great and two-time Cup Series champion who died suddenly on Thursday, is being replaced by Corey Day in his truck seat. —

Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 23 May 2026 For a relatively unknown Chinese bikemaker to suddenly emerge victorious in three races in WorldSSP is genuinely unprecedented. —

New Atlas, 23 May 2026 Numerous people reported that their original Chromecast had suddenly stopped casting from popular apps, including Chrome, YouTube, and Paramount+. —

Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026 Complete with a lightweight EVA outsole, shock-absorbing support, and Birkenstock’s famously comfortable footbed, this unisex pair is especially handy for long sightseeing days when comfort suddenly matters a lot. —

Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suddenly

Adverb

The Ligue 1 clash between FC Nantes and Toulouse FC was abruptly abandoned.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
He was abruptly moved from the starting lineup to the bench on the eve of the regular-season opener, with coach Chris Finch wanting to put the ball in Anthony Edwards’ hands and give the younger Donte DiVincenzo an opportunity to start.

— Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 17 May 2026