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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 He’s easily distracted by sounds or activity, often needs questions repeated and uses abrupt matter-of-fact phrases that could be considered rude, the filings said. Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 5 Mar. 2025 These abrupt shifts in trade policy create further uncertainty for businesses, discouraging investment and hiring as companies navigate an increasingly unstable economic environment. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2025 Reality check: That does not necessarily mean an abrupt slowdown, or a recession, or 2022-style inflation. Neil Irwin, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025 That analysis, however, misses the crucial role of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces in the country’s abrupt impoverishment. Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrupt
Adjective
  • Palico's attacks with blunt weapons do not inflict stun and exhaust damages.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Trump’s disruptive and at times blunt methods brought us here.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Online education officers respond that their programs face steep startup costs and need expensive technology specialists and infrastructure.
    Jon Marcus, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
  • But shortly into his second term in office, the polls signal frustration over steep losses in the stock market and a potential trade war with some of America’s closest allies.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Symptoms can include a sudden, severe headache, vomiting, neck stiffness and numbness or weakness on one side of the body or the face.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Among them was a trade group representing major foreign automakers like BMW, Honda, and Toyota—Autos Drive America—which agreed with Tesla that the USTR should slow Trump down and require considerations about long-term impacts of sudden actions to address unfair trade.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • With the wind in such short supply, the race committee ordered all teams to leave two of their crew on the dock.
    Andrew Rice, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The new deal would see Joby’s four-passenger eVTOL aircraft used from Virgin Atlantic’s hubs at Heathrow and Manchester airports for short trips to link up those regions, the companies said.
    Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • While nothing horrible or scandalous went down, each of the various storylines ended with something startling or unexpected.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Meanwhile, in 1943, while Civita’s version of the book was taking shape, Steinberg, posted overseas, discovered new and unexpected artistic territory.
    Françoise Mouly, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s a gruff and garrulous baseball pitching and hitting machine called Pop Fly (Brian Cox).
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
  • In The Empire’s frame, residents of a coastal village in northern France — gruff, virile fisherman Jony (Brandon Vlieghe) and teenage tease Line (Lyna Khoudri) — reveal their oddball allegiance to extraterrestrial invaders.
    Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Scheer was smart to whittle down the novel’s winding sentences into short, sharp exclamations and curt instructions — and also to be faithful to Melville’s rendition of the captain’s irritable diction.
    Justin Davidson, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
  • There were abrasive, curt interviews with the media.
    Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Young Ari doesn’t want to confront the reality that her mother might never return, though the brusque independence with which Bateman carries herself tells its own story, as though Ari has had to contend with this scenario before.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The actor lowers his voice slightly, granting the newer Mickey a more confident, brusque personality.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrupt. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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