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
The abrupt closure would have disrupted a major border city of 700,000 people and grounded all commercial, cargo and general aviation flights.
—
Seung Min Kim, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
That crisp pastry shell can really hold in the heat, and an abrupt puncture will send a geyser of steaming juice and melted cheese directly onto your tender tongue.
—Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) service temporarily came to an abrupt halt on Monday but has since fully resumed.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Seung Min Kim, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
—Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
That crisp pastry shell can really hold in the heat, and an abrupt puncture will send a geyser of steaming juice and melted cheese directly onto your tender tongue.
—Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) service temporarily came to an abrupt halt on Monday but has since fully resumed.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrupt
Adjective
-
And while she’s known for experimenting with her look — from waist-length neon wigs to sleek blunt bobs — Cardi has shown that her natural hair is full and long, stretching down her back.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Its descriptively blunt autobiographical accounts of palpable angst start off reserved—but never boring—and slowly blossom into an explosive finish.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
For the first time since the Federal Reserve began its aggressive rate hikes years ago, the share of homeowners paying steep mortgage rates above 6% now exceeds the elite class of borrowers holding on to rock-bottom rates below 3%.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
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Set the scene Somewhere between Monaco and Cannes, up the steep streets of Nice’s intricate Old Town, a large garden with poppies is accessed through a cool courtyard, shaded by orange trees.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Instead of analyzing every detail in a scene, the human brain quickly detects sudden motion or change and reacts first.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Demand for cross-border relocation, residency planning and citizenship consultancy services is being driven by geopolitical tensions and sudden policy shifts, advisers who work with ultra-high-net-worth clients told CNBC.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Then, in the short track speedskating mixed team relay B final, Julie Letai suffered her own mishap, slipping and crashing into the padding.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Sometimes just a couple of hours with someone, or several short meetings, can really get someone moving in a different way.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
From familiar faces to unexpected challengers, here’s who’s running for Senate and Congress.—
Kurtcia Collazo,
IndyStar,
9 Feb. 2026
-
His Penguins are making an unexpected romp toward the Stanley Cup playoffs in a season they were expected to finish near the bottom of the NHL standings.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But on third down at the 28, Jaquan Brisker broke up a pass in the end zone as time expired, setting off a wild celebration — and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Jaquan Brisker deflected the ball, setting off a wild celebration — and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The characters are well developed and unpredictable—perhaps none more so than John Stone, Nasir’s gruff public-defense attorney.—
Stephanie Bai,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Also present was the gruff playwright.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That puts her at odds with Ray, whose investment in her son hinges on a brusque, performative disregard for Colin’s happiness.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Waldo’s digital shopping cart — and McCurdy’s brusque descriptions of her late-night binges — highlight the gaping, cavernous maw of her wants.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrupt. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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