abrupt
adjective | /abrupt/
Essential WordsEASY
sudden and unexpected; curt
abrupt
adjective | /abrupt/
Essential WordsEASYsudden and unexpected; curt
Learning Progress
Synonyms
suddenbluntcurthastyheadlongunexpected
Antonyms
gradualpolitegentle
Examples
"The car made an abrupt stop, and everyone braced forward."
"His abrupt manner sometimes offended colleagues."
Mnemonic Trick
Mnemonic: a + rupt (break) → broken sudden change
Etymology
from Latin abruptus “broken off” (ab- + rumpere “to break”)
Source: Essential WordsAdded: 11/13/2025
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