1
as in blunt
being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner
the policeman's abrupt manner discouraged me from trying to claim that I hadn't seen the red light
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in steep
having an incline approaching the perpendicular
the gentle, rolling hills gradually give way to high mountains with abrupt sides
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sudden
not expected
his abrupt reappearance seems to have caught everyone off guard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abrupt
Katy Perry’s performance took an abrupt turn after a fan approached her on stage.
—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2025
If the enhanced credits are allowed to expire, not only would premium subsidies be smaller for many people, but there would also be an abrupt eligibility cutoff — an income cliff — for households above four times the federal poverty rate, or about $103,280 for a family of three for this plan year.
—Julie Appleby, NPR, 11 June 2025
But an abrupt denial of funding now could carry devastating consequences — not just for states on the front lines, but on the nation.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2025
If the enhanced credits are allowed to expire, not only would premium subsidies be smaller for many people, but there would also be an abrupt eligibility cutoff — an income cliff — for households above four times the federal poverty rate, or about $103,280 for a family of three for this plan year.
—Julie Appleby, NPR, 11 June 2025
But an abrupt denial of funding now could carry devastating consequences — not just for states on the front lines, but on the nation.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
—Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrupt
Adjective
-
Isaac Leal, 17, died on Monday, June 2, from a blunt force injury to the head, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2025
-
His autopsy revealed his head had blunt force trauma.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
In contrast, late adopters face higher opportunity costs, slower innovation cycles, and steeper learning curves.—
Rhett Power,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
-
Eight years ago, Hurricane Harvey barreled in off the Gulf of Mexico and lingered, pouring four days of rain over the city of Houston. Unlike North Carolina's steep mountains, Houston is low, barely rising above sea level.—
Laura Sullivan,
NPR,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
Written in Latin, the coroners' rolls are records of sudden or suspicious deaths as investigated by a jury of local men, called together by the coroner to establish facts and reach a verdict.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 June 2025
-
Keep a safe distance: Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
When in a forest, stay in proximity to shorter tree groupings.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2025
-
Pool offers a short menu of beef burgers, turkey burgers, hot dogs and fries.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Estate sales are a treasure trove for uncovering vintage clothing, and real hidden gems are often tucked away in unexpected places.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
7 June 2025
-
She’s taken her most unexpected pivot yet on this epic kiss-off from Portrait of My Heart, with visceral riffs and overdriven melodies evoking the high-wire emo theatrics that infiltrated MTV during the 33-year-old’s own teenage years.—
Jenn Pelly,
Time,
7 June 2025
Adjective
-
While Hornets fans were not as gruff as New York Knicks or Boston Celtics supporters, Charlotte pro basketball fans were among the leaders who posted a specific swear word.—
Kendrick Marshall,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2025
-
Paul is lovable but gruff, while Jimmy is lost and a bit broken after having lost his wife in a drunk driving accident.—
Hedy Phillips,
People.com,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
There was drama between Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, leading to curt radio messages by Hamilton accusing Ferrari of poor teamwork when he got stuck behind his teammate while on faster tires.—
Sahil Kapur,
NBC news,
4 May 2025
-
In an attempt to punish new castmate Angela Oakley for bringing an uninvited guest, Porsha stonewalls Angela throughout her celebratory dinner, resorting to curt, one-word answers whenever prodded by the group to participate.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
Near the end of our interview, his brusque exterior cracked.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
2 June 2025
-
But a few weeks before its initial six-month contract was set to run out, in mid-September 1994, things came to a brusque end.—
Christopher Clark,
The Dial,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrupt. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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