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
He’s easily distracted by sounds or activity, often needs questions repeated and uses abrupt matter-of-fact phrases that could be considered rude, the filings said.
—
Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 5 Mar. 2025
These abrupt shifts in trade policy create further uncertainty for businesses, discouraging investment and hiring as companies navigate an increasingly unstable economic environment.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2025
Reality check: That does not necessarily mean an abrupt slowdown, or a recession, or 2022-style inflation.
—Neil Irwin, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
That analysis, however, misses the crucial role of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces in the country’s abrupt impoverishment.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 5 Mar. 2025
These abrupt shifts in trade policy create further uncertainty for businesses, discouraging investment and hiring as companies navigate an increasingly unstable economic environment.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2025
Reality check: That does not necessarily mean an abrupt slowdown, or a recession, or 2022-style inflation.
—Neil Irwin, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
That analysis, however, misses the crucial role of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces in the country’s abrupt impoverishment.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrupt
Adjective
-
Palico's attacks with blunt weapons do not inflict stun and exhaust damages.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Trump’s disruptive and at times blunt methods brought us here.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In the face of steep new duties—especially on China—footwear brands will also be forced to raise prices.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Mar. 2025
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The dual pressures of addiction and burnout are exacting a steep toll on America’s entrepreneurs and executives.—
Jaime Catmull,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Escaping a sudden, massive flood, a smart, mischievous black cat clambers aboard a boat shared by a dog, a capybara, and a lemur, as well as a long-legged secretary bird.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
2 Mar. 2025
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As big of a star as The Rock is, his sudden inclusion in Rhodes’ road to WrestleMania seems both forced and unnecessary, especially after their equally strange interaction on Raw’s Netflix premiere.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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He was injured almost immediately in the fall of 2018 and didn’t return until February; by that time Cleveland was already in stage 1 of a painful (but, ultimately, short) rebuild.—
Joe Vardon,
The Athletic,
6 Mar. 2025
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The numbers fell short, however, of any address from Trump’s first term.—
Rick Porter,
The Hollywood Reporter,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Bachelor's hometown dates have become legendary for their mix of heartfelt moments and unexpected chaos.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
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The wealthy use insurance, asset protection strategies, and estate planning to shield their money from unexpected events like market crashes, lawsuits, and economic downturns.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The gruff but beloved Hackman was among the most accomplished actors of his generation, appearing as villains, heroes and antiheroes in dozens of dramas, comedies and action films from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.—
Susan Montoya Bryan,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
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Ford’s actually relatively locked-in as the gruff but supportive Colonel Graff training the impressionable Ender (Asa Butterfield), who has to save the universe as all lads in these types of films tend to do.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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There were abrasive, curt interviews with the media.—
Cam Inman,
The Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2025
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Before Rocky could reply, Rihanna interjected with a curt reaction.—
Edward Segarra,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The world’s third largest economy goes to the polls Sunday under the shadow of unusually brusque interventions from the Trump administration in support of the anti-immigration far right.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC News,
22 Feb. 2025
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In the first season, the series wondered what would happen if therapist Jimmy, despondent after becoming a widower, started giving his patients brusque, confrontational advice on how to deal with their problems.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Abrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrupt. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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