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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abrupt
After his plans to play professional football came to an abrupt end, Johnson adjusted his life plan and pursued wrestling, which opened the door to his future career.
—
Michael Nied, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
At issue is Trump's abrupt firing of Gwynne Wilcox, a Democratic member of the National Labor Relations Board; and Cathy Harris who sits on the Merit Systems Protections Board, which serves as judicial body that oversees the federal workforce.
—Emily Peck, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
Saturday Night Live took aim at Morgan Wallen following the country star’s abrupt exit during the show’s end credits in late March.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 6 Apr. 2025
In the eyes of longtime U.S. allies, the abrupt unilateral move was the latest sign of Mr. Trump’s open disdain for their interests – not just on trade and tariffs, but NATO defense and Ukraine too, and indeed the territorial future of the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland.
—Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Michael Nied, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
At issue is Trump's abrupt firing of Gwynne Wilcox, a Democratic member of the National Labor Relations Board; and Cathy Harris who sits on the Merit Systems Protections Board, which serves as judicial body that oversees the federal workforce.
—Emily Peck, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
Saturday Night Live took aim at Morgan Wallen following the country star’s abrupt exit during the show’s end credits in late March.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 6 Apr. 2025
In the eyes of longtime U.S. allies, the abrupt unilateral move was the latest sign of Mr. Trump’s open disdain for their interests – not just on trade and tariffs, but NATO defense and Ukraine too, and indeed the territorial future of the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland.
—Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrupt
Adjective
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Autopsy results revealed that Morin had endured 15 to 20 blows to the head and had died from a combination of strangulation and blunt force trauma.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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Not to be blunt, but there’s really no good excuse to skip SPF application, regardless of your skin tone or skin type.—
Catharine Malzahn,
Glamour,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This gorgeous option has distressed floral medallions that look lived-in for vintage charm, all without a steep price point.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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The requirements for that are steep and include proving either your parent or grandparent was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Several conditions may cause sudden vision loss, such as an eye injury.—
Heidi Cope,
Health,
19 Apr. 2025
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All of a sudden, something that was a huge source of joy in my grandparents’ life became a challenge.—
Katie Akin,
Southern Living,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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After a short ceremony, the church will open to the public from: Wednesday: 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday: 7 a.m. to midnight Friday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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Letters to the editor are usually short and to the point.—
Elizabeth Keifer,
Hartford Courant,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Aaron Rodgers clearly enjoys holding the NFL hostage: The NFL’s lamest offseason storyline had a new – but not unexpected – twist Thursday when Aaron Rodgers had thoughts on the New York Jets and new head coach Aaron Glenn.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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Upon his unexpected death less than two months later, John Paul I's successor, Karol Wojtyla, chose the name John Paul II to honor him.—
Christopher Watson,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This was the puzzle: The Torch and the Treasure A Bridge Puzzle of Strategy, Speed... and Stolen Gold Five daring fantasy thieves—a nimble Elf, a sneaky Goblin, a fleet-footed Satyr, a gruff Dwarf, and a hulking Troll—have just pulled off the heist of the century.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Could this gruff old man playing mahjong in a nondescript hall be a curious gambler on the last boat up the Mekong, laughing in the face of Edward’s existential crisis?—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The sixth song on Beyoncé’s eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, is a curt history lesson nestled in a massive song cycle with an undeniable rallying cry.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
3 Feb. 2025
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There was also his curt response to a strange controversy over his decision not to include an image of Armstrong planting the American flag on the moon.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Even before this week, the downside of the Trump White House’s brusque treatment of historic U.S. allies was obvious.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
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Publicly, throughout his career, Tortorella has been both thoughtful and earnest in some moments and blunt and brusque in others.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrupt. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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