- sudden; unexpected
- brusque or brief in speech, manner, etc; curt
- (of a style of writing or speaking) making sharp transitions from one subject to another; disconnected
- precipitous; steep
- shaped as though a part has been cut off; truncate
- (of strata) cropping out suddenly
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ab•rupt /əˈbrʌpt/USA pronunciation
adj.
ab•rupt•ness, n. [uncountable]See -rupt-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- sudden or unexpected: an abrupt departure.
- so short as to be unfriendly or impolite:an abrupt reply.
- changing suddenly;
sharp: an abrupt turn in a road.
ab•rupt•ness, n. [uncountable]See -rupt-.
ab•rupt
(ə brupt′),USA pronunciation adj.
ab•rupt′ly, adv.
ab•rupt′ness, n.
- sudden or unexpected:an abrupt departure.
- curt or brusque in speech, manner, etc.:an abrupt reply.
- terminating or changing suddenly:an abrupt turn in a road.
- having many sudden changes from one subject to another;
lacking in continuity or smoothness:an abrupt writing style. - steep;
precipitous:an abrupt descent. - Botanytruncate (def. 4).
- Latin abruptus broken off (past participle of abrumpere), equivalent. to ab- ab- + -rup- break + -tus past participle suffix
- 1575–85
ab•rupt′ness, n.
- 1. 3. quick, sharp. See sudden. 2. short, hurried, hasty, blunt. 4. discontinuous, broken, uneven.
- 1. 3. gradual. 2. deliberate; patient, courteous.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
abrupt /əˈbrʌpt/ adj
'abrupt' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
air pocket
- bark
- bob
- brief
- brush off
- clank
- clap
- clipped
- cold turkey
- critical
- curt
- ejaculation
- exclamation
- gradual
- jerk
- jump
- kiss off
- leap
- peripeteia
- plosion
- plump
- precipitant
- rap
- riptide
- saltation
- short
- short-spoken
- short-winded
- snap
- staccato
- stutter
- sudden
- terse
- toss
- tracking radar
- unceremonious
- withdrawal
- yodel
- abruption
- abruptly pinnate
- apiculate
- blast wave
- blip
- bluff
- blunt
- blurt
- bold
- bore
- break
- brisk