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
The retrial of Karen Read, the Massachusetts woman accused of hitting her police officer boyfriend with her car and leaving him for dead, will resume following an abrupt one-day break in court proceedings.
—
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 15 May 2025
Viewers praised the officers for their swift action — and playfully chided the deer for its abrupt exit.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
Copyright Office, whose abrupt dismissal by President Donald Trump this past weekend seemed to mark a major blow for Big Tech against content rightsholders.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
While part of that abrupt leap stemmed from the fallout of the pandemic, including the minor-league season being canceled, that’s not what would happen today.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 15 May 2025
Viewers praised the officers for their swift action — and playfully chided the deer for its abrupt exit.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
Copyright Office, whose abrupt dismissal by President Donald Trump this past weekend seemed to mark a major blow for Big Tech against content rightsholders.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
While part of that abrupt leap stemmed from the fallout of the pandemic, including the minor-league season being canceled, that’s not what would happen today.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrupt
Adjective
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Her brand features blunt honesty and humor, as well as fashion, beauty, and lifestyle tips.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
22 May 2025
-
City’s video tribute was a tear-jerker, and less hardy characters than De Bruyne — nicknamed ‘the tumble dryer’ due to his dry (and blunt) approach — would surely have cracked and let the tears roll.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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Those numbers reported by authorities Tuesday reflect a steep increase from 2024, when cops answered just under 4,000 calls for service, made only 20 DUI arrests and reported no deaths from crashes over the three-day weekend.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
27 May 2025
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Talks with China, which imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on the U.S., are ongoing after both countries agreed to lower steep tariffs.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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The 2014 retirement of Malcolm (who died in 2017) and sudden spring 2016 departure of Johnson due to the risk of complete hearing loss threw shade on the future.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
25 May 2025
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As guests hurried into the building to escape the sudden downpour — with a few leaving early, uncertain about how the rest of the day would unfold — Ashley had to think on her feet.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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Each of them plays like a standalone vignette that could make a short film, and as with a short film program made up of multiple stories, some are stronger than others.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
28 May 2025
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In a short address to the squad on Monday evening, Wiegman expressed, in front of Earps, sentiments of frustration, disappointment and anger at Earps’ decision before walking out of the room.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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But during the appearance, an unexpected guest also got some attention from those gathered below!—
Jillian Frankel,
People.com,
27 May 2025
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In the middle of a seven-minute piece interpreted in an appropriately serious manner, Urie elicited unexpected giggles from the audience.—
Daniel Vaillancourt,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Peter Capaldi - Twelfth Doctor From 2014-2017, a gruff and action-ready Peter Capaldi shredded an electric guitar through the TARDIS.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
29 May 2025
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Over a four-decade career that began with a role on Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Lyonne has become known for portraying characters that are gruff but likable, hard-nosed but sympathetic.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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But his curt, at times browbeating, management style resurfaced, alienating some subordinates, according to former colleagues.—
Adam Goldman,
New York Times,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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For example, while one team member might feel valued by direct and candid communication, another may interpret the same approach as brusque or insensitive, instead needing more consideration or attention.—
Aparna Rae,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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Verstappen, typically a bit brusque in interviews, gave the Aussie his flowers.—
Nick Remsen,
Vogue,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrupt. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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