abrupt

UK: /əˈbrʌpt/ US: /əˈbrʌpt/ ,(ə brupt′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ab•rupt /əˈbrʌpt/   adj. 

1. sudden or unexpected:
   an abrupt departure.
2. so short as to be unfriendly or impolite:
   an abrupt reply.
3. changing suddenly;
   sharp:
   an abrupt turn in a road.

ab•rupt•ly, adv. 
ab•rupt•ness, n. [uncountable] See -rupt-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ab•rupt  (ə brupt′), adj. 

1. sudden or unexpected:
   an abrupt departure.
2. curt or brusque in speech, manner, etc.:
   an abrupt reply.
3. terminating or changing suddenly:
   an abrupt turn in a road.
4. having many sudden changes from one subject to another;
   lacking in continuity or smoothness:
   an abrupt writing style.
5. steep;
   precipitous:
   an abrupt descent.
6. Botany truncate (def. 4).

• Latin abruptus broken off (past participle of abrumpere), equivalent. to ab- ab- + -rup- break + -tus past participle suffix
• 1575–85

ab•rupt′ly, adv. 
ab•rupt′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1, 3. quick, sharp. See sudden.
• 2.  short, hurried, hasty, blunt.
• 4. discontinuous, broken, uneven.

Antonyms

• 1, 3. gradual.
• 2. deliberate; patient, courteous.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

abrupt / əˈbrʌpt/ adjective

1. sudden; unexpected
2. brusque or brief in speech, manner, etc; curt
3. (of a style of writing or speaking) making sharp transitions from one subject to another; disconnected
4. precipitous; steep
5. shaped as though a part has been cut off; truncate
6. (of strata) cropping out suddenly

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin abruptus broken off, from ab-¹ + rumpere to break

abˈruptly adverb

abˈruptness noun