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Synonym Chooser

How is the word abrupt different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of abrupt are precipitous, sheer, and steep. While all these words mean "having an incline approaching the perpendicular," abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level.

a beach with an abrupt drop-off

When could precipitous be used to replace abrupt?

The words precipitous and abrupt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical.

the river winds through a precipitous gorge

When is sheer a more appropriate choice than abrupt?

The words sheer and abrupt can be used in similar contexts, but sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse.

sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers

When would steep be a good substitute for abrupt?

The synonyms steep and abrupt are sometimes interchangeable, but steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult.

a steep hill
a steep dive

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 abrupt Despite the abrupt ending, the Lasers left their mark. Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2025 Shortly after Elon Musk’s acquisition of the company, nearly 50% of the workforce—thousands of employees—were let go in a single, abrupt move. Christopher Kaufman, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025 Continue reading … FIGHTING BACK – Prosecutor in Epstein, Diddy cases files lawsuit after abrupt termination. FOXNews.com, 16 Sep. 2025 The concept uses external airbags that inflate around the aircraft to reduce impact during abrupt landings. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrupt
Adjective
  • Maron, who’s become an increasingly vocal critic of comedians who inadvertently, or outwardly, cater to the right, shared a particularly blunt video on TikTok that was at once a dire warning and a call to action.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Manchin’s media appearances to promote his book have already made headlines with quintessential blunt talk about his snub of former Vice President Kamala Harris and willingness to torch his old party.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Low User Adoption Due To Poor Onboarding The primary hurdle is often low user adoption due to poor onboarding and a steep learning curve.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The hidden gem is packed with steep deals on cool-weather necessities at shockingly reasonable prices.
    Jamie Fischer, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • And then all of a sudden, the pick.
    Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The conglomerate, which often aligns itself with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development goals and controls vast swathes of India’s infrastructure sector, is yet to fully recover from the market value erosion caused by the short seller’s accusations.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
  • In short, this is a definitive shmup and comes highly recommended.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For Cain, testifying at Craig's trial had unexpected emotional weight.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Another unexpected face on the runway?
    Kerry McDermott, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Panday plays a convincingly gruff tortured artist alongside Padda’s struggling ingenue, and most of the screen time is devoted to their pairing instead of introducing tertiary excess.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The barbs were frequently aimed at the gruff owner of Mel’s Diner played by the late Vic Tayback.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These and a few other basic elements recur throughout Martinů’s œuvre: curt themes, darting rhythms, tangy harmonies, glittering textures.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The pillow talk on Man’s Best Friend often takes the curt, assertive tone of a person reproaching a precocious pet.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The result was completely was enchanting, including the brusque Communist-era service.
    Sarah Turner, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
  • The same substantive deficits afflict Louise-Parker, too, whose bright eyes and brusque wit are wasted in a role that’s villainous potential exists only in exposition.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrupt. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

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