in·ter·rupt
ˌin-tə-ˈrəpt 
interrupted; interrupting; interrupts
1
: to stop or hinder by breaking in
interrupted the speaker with frequent questions
2
: to break the uniformity or continuity of
a hot spell occasionally interrupted by a period of cool weather
: to break in upon an action
especially
: to break in with questions or remarks while another is speaking
in·ter·rupt
ˌin-tə-ˈrəpt
ˈin-tə-ˌrəpt
: a feature of a computer that permits the temporary interruption of one activity (such as the execution of a program) in order to perform another
also
: the interruption itself
Synonyms
Examples of interrupt in a Sentence
Verb
It's not polite to interrupt.
His dinner was interrupted by a phone call.
We interrupt this program to bring you a special announcement.
Every summer periods of cool weather occasionally interrupt the intense heat.
Recent Examples on the Web
Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
Foreign observers panned Maduro’s official numbers, which were presented in a haphazard fashion after regular polling reports were interrupted by officials after the election.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 6 Jan. 2025
The Tennessee constitution states that a county officer can be removed from office for malfeasance or neglect of duty for any wrongful conduct that affects, interrupts or interferes with the performance of official duty via an ouster.
—Craig Shoup, The Tennessean, 24 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for interrupt 
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Verb
The arraignment was interrupted by bursts of comments, often crude, from Vinson, rendering most of the hearing inaudible.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
Foreign observers panned Maduro’s official numbers, which were presented in a haphazard fashion after regular polling reports were interrupted by officials after the election.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
Contessa, however, interrupts to hold the group accountable, challenging them to stop glossing over Heavenly’s words.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 6 Jan. 2025
The Tennessee constitution states that a county officer can be removed from office for malfeasance or neglect of duty for any wrongful conduct that affects, interrupts or interferes with the performance of official duty via an ouster.
—Craig Shoup, The Tennessean, 24 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for interrupt
Dictionary Entries Near interrupt
Cite this Entry
“Interrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interrupt. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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