Synonyms for

Abruptly

Verb / ʌˈbrʌptli: / Another word for abruptly — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

suddenly and unexpectedly

Synonyms & similar words

short suddenly dead suddenly unexpectedly abrupt hastily precipitously unpredictably abruptly unforeseen unanticipated unannounced unheralded surprise immediately instantly

Synonyms by register

Formal

suddenly sharply unexpectedly precipitously

Informal

out of the blue all of a sudden like a bolt from the blue

Literary

perforce unawares

Antonyms

gradually slowly steadily smoothly gently continuously progressively

Common collocations

  • stopped abruptly
  • ended abruptly
  • changed abruptly
  • turned abruptly
  • cut off abruptly
  • fell abruptly
  • broke off abruptly

Word family

noun abruptness
adjective abrupt
adverb abruptly

Usage note

Often used to describe sudden changes in movement, sound, or behavior. Can sometimes imply rudeness or a lack of consideration.

Example sentences

  1. She stopped playing the piano abruptly.
  2. The car screeched to a halt abruptly.
  3. The storm ended abruptly.
  4. He ended the conversation abruptly.
  5. The movie ended abruptly.

Quotes

  • Life changes fast. Life changes in the instant. You sit down to dinner and life as you know it ends abruptly. - Joan Didion
  • We want to stay where we are, even though we know that staying still is the wrong move and that life will end abruptly. - Paulo Coelho
  • The universe is not fair and it is never going to be fair. And do you know what? That's okay. Because if the universe was fair, it would mean that life would also be fair and that would mean that all of our dreams would come true abruptly and uniformly. - John Green

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