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 frustrated bride explained that her brother’s abrupt wedding plans poses multiple roadblocks to her wedding festivities.
—
Raven Brunner, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Cool, calm days can extend the length of the bloom, but a rainy, windy day can bring cherry blossom bloom season to an abrupt end.
—Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
The decision was abrupt even for Red Bull, which has cycled through half a dozen teammates for four-time world champion Verstappen.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2025
Social isolation, the abrupt removal of routine, and pervasive uncertainty left marks that are not easily erased.
—Elizabeth Austin, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Raven Brunner, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Cool, calm days can extend the length of the bloom, but a rainy, windy day can bring cherry blossom bloom season to an abrupt end.
—Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
The decision was abrupt even for Red Bull, which has cycled through half a dozen teammates for four-time world champion Verstappen.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2025
Social isolation, the abrupt removal of routine, and pervasive uncertainty left marks that are not easily erased.
—Elizabeth Austin, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrupt
Adjective
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Honesty without emotional attunement can become a weapon in relationships, with truth being used as blunt force, not a bridge for connection.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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What to watch: In Europe and Canada — two of America's largest trading partners — officials have been blunt about the realities of a global system where the United States is less prominent.—
Axios,
Axios,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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And in January 2024, a steep entertainment tax on services by karaoke bars, spas, and nightclubs had been proposed, though that was scrapped the next month after backlash from local businesses.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
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Hop aboard one of the town’s white Volkswagen Beetle taxis to navigate the steep streets, or take the cable car to Hotel Montetaxco—a fine place for views of Taxco rooftops and to rest your head for the night.—
Meagan Drillinger,
AFAR Media,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The fraught legal battle is also taking place amid a sudden round of visa revocations among international students at some of the country’s top universities, with college officials left unprepared and searching for answers from the government.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2025
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Don’t be surprised if your insights come through unconventional means — like a sudden dream, a deep gut feeling or even a meaningful synchronicity that guides you toward a new direction.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But the short answer either way was: Good God, yes!—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2025
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The roster of those who have fallen short magnifies the challenge.—
Bob Spear,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In 2002, Amazon required every executive to master an unexpected skill: writing press releases for products that didn’t yet exist.—
Daniel Lotzof,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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JuJu Watkins is receiving love from unexpected places.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Simultaneously punched out, yet refusing to stay down for the count, a gruff Smith does his actorly best to understand, then diss, his public’s view of the slap heard round the world.—
A.D. Amorosi,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
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In a gruff voice, Fino speculated about what besides the mushroom might have caused the disease.—
Shayla Love,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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He was dispatched in a curt, five-sentence press release.—
Jack Lang,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Abrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrupt. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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