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 resurgence sees three familiar favorites land very close together, powered by a spike in purchases. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Post In an era marked by sudden market shifts, supply chain disruptions, and global public health emergencies, trust is the foundation of successful online platform businesses that facilitate interactions or transactions between different parties. —Milo Shaoqing Wang, Harvard Business Review, 17 Apr. 2025

For instance, when Britain removed carbon monoxide from its public gas supply in the 1960s and 1970s, the annual number of suicides in England and Wales showed a sudden, unexpected decline. —Olivia Rockeman, Time, 16 Apr. 2025

Don’t be surprised if your insights come through unconventional means — like a sudden dream, a deep gut feeling or even a meaningful synchronicity that guides you toward a new direction. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Phrases Containing sudden

• all of a sudden

Video

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

Figuring it out at once