Abrupt: meaning, definitions and examples

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abrupt

[ əˈbrʌpt ]

Adjective / Noun

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

sudden change

1. Happening or done quickly and unexpectedly. 2. Brief to the point of rudeness; curt. 3. Characterized by an unexpected change in a situation.

Synonyms

abruptly, sharp, sudden, unexpected.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
abrupt	Used when something happens quickly and without warning, often in a way that seems rude or unpleasant. The meeting came to an abrupt end. His abrupt departure surprised everyone.
sudden	Appropriate when something happens very quickly without any warning, commonly used in various situations. Her sudden appearance startled everyone. A sudden shift in the wind direction caused the boat to tip over.
unexpected	Used when something occurs that was not anticipated or planned, often surprising. The rain was completely unexpected during the dry season. She received an unexpected gift from her friend.
abruptly	Describes an action that happens suddenly and without warning, often interrupting something. She stood up abruptly and left the room. The car stopped abruptly on the road.
sharp	Suitable for describing sudden and distinct changes, often used for physical changes or shifts in situations. There was a sharp increase in temperature. He felt a sharp pain in his leg.

Examples of usage

She received an abrupt reply to her email.
He was known for his abrupt manner of speaking.
The abrupt weather change caught everyone off guard.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

geology

1. A steep cliff, typically one formed by erosion.

Synonyms

cliff, drop off, precipice.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
abrupt	This word is used to describe something that happens suddenly and unexpectedly, often in a way that is unsettling or surprising. The meeting came to an abrupt end. Her abrupt departure surprised everyone.
cliff	This word describes a high, steep face of rock or earth, usually found at the edge of the sea or a river. It's used in geological contexts or when describing a dangerous height. The waves crashed against the base of the cliff. They stood on the edge of the cliff and looked down.
precipice	Like 'cliff,' this word describes a very steep face of rock or a tall cliff. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation where someone is on the verge of a dangerous or risky decision. She was standing on the edge of the precipice, looking out over the valley. The company is on the precipice of bankruptcy.
drop off	This phrase can describe a sharp fall or decline, and is often used in everyday language to talk about a decrease in numbers, quality, or a physical drop in height. There was a drop off in sales last month. Be careful, there's a steep drop off just ahead.

Examples of usage

The hikers had to navigate around the abrupts to reach the summit.

Translations

Translations of the word "abrupt" in other languages:

🇵🇹 abrupto

🇮🇳 अचानक

🇩🇪 abrupt

🇮🇩 mendadak

🇺🇦 різкий

🇵🇱 nagły

🇯🇵 突然の

🇫🇷 abrupt

🇪🇸 abrupto

🇹🇷 ani

🇰🇷 갑작스러운

🇸🇦 فجائي

🇨🇿 náhlý

🇸🇰 náhly

🇨🇳 突然的

🇸🇮 nenaden

🇮🇸 skyndilegur

🇰🇿 кенеттен

🇬🇪 უეცარი

🇦🇿 kəskin

🇲🇽 abrupto

Etymology

The word 'abrupt' originated from the Latin word 'abruptus', meaning broken off or steep. It has been used in the English language since the 16th century. The term evolved to describe sudden or unexpected changes due to its association with steep cliffs and sharp edges. Over time, 'abrupt' has become a common adjective used to depict swift and unforeseen events or behaviors.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,478 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

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8475 directive
8476 frowned
8477 diminishing
8478 abrupt
8479 dispatch
8480 donors
8481 discounts
...