abrupt
gb/əbɹˈʌpt/ us/əbɹˈʌpt/
B2
English
~ 7100
hirtelen, nyers, kurta, meredek, szakadékos, átmenet nélküli
B2
1
hirtelen
A2
Usage pattern:
an abrupt [change/end/shift/stop]
The meeting came to an abrupt end when the fire alarm went off.
Az értekezlet hirtelen véget ért, amikor megszólalt a tűzjelző.
There was an abrupt change in the weather after sunset.
Napnyugta után hirtelen megváltozott az időjárás.
The car made an abrupt stop in the middle of the road.
Her abrupt departure left everyone confused and worried.
Share prices experienced an abrupt fall after the announcement.
Learner examples
The film has an abrupt end, so many people were surprised.
A film hirtelen ér véget, ezért sokan meglepődtek.
We felt an abrupt change in temperature when we went outside.
Amikor kimentünk, hirtelen hőmérséklet-változást éreztünk.
The bus made an abrupt stop at the traffic light.
His health took an abrupt turn for the worse.
The music came to an abrupt halt.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use only 'sudden' and forget 'abrupt'. 'Abrupt' is often used when the quick change feels uncomfortable or too quick: e.g., 'an abrupt end to the conversation'. Also, some learners confuse this sense with the 'rude' sense and say things like '*He gave me an abrupt' instead of 'He gave me an abrupt answer.'
Meaning
sudden and unexpected
Collocations
abrupt change
|abrupt end
|abrupt halt
|abrupt stop
|abrupt shift
|abrupt transition
Synonyms
sudden (Most common neutral synonym; does not always carry the slightly negative or uncomfortable feeling that 'abrupt' often has.)
|
unexpected (Focuses more on the lack of warning than on the speed of the change.)
|
sharp (Often suggests a quick and noticeable change, especially in level, direction, or intensity.)
Antonyms
gradual (Describes a change that happens slowly over time, not suddenly.)
|
smooth (Suggests a gentle, continuous change without any sudden breaks or shocks.)
Themes
daily life
|time
|change
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Happening very fast and without warning.
Happening or changing very suddenly and without warning, often causing surprise or difficulty.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is abrupt (with [someone]) / an abrupt [answer/tone/manner]
His abrupt reply made it clear he didn't want to talk.
Nyers válaszából világosan kiderült, hogy nem akar beszélni.
She can be quite abrupt with new employees when she is stressed.
Amikor stresszes, elég nyers tud lenni az új alkalmazottakkal.
The doctor's abrupt manner upset several patients.
I was surprised by the abrupt way he ended the phone call.
Her email was so abrupt that I wondered if she was angry.
Learner examples
His abrupt answer hurt her feelings.
A nyers válasza megbántotta őt.
The teacher was abrupt with the class today.
A tanár ma nyers volt az osztállyal.
Her abrupt tone sounded unfriendly.
My boss can be abrupt when he is busy.
I did not like his abrupt way of speaking.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say '*He is an abrupt' instead of 'He is abrupt.' Use 'abrupt' before a noun ('an abrupt answer') or after 'be' ('He is abrupt'), not by itself as a noun. Learners also confuse this with the 'sudden' sense and may say '*The car was abrupt' when they mean 'The car stopped abruptly' or 'The car made an abrupt stop.'
Meaning
sudden and unfriendly in manner
Collocations
abrupt manner
|abrupt reply
|abrupt answer
|abrupt tone
|abrupt question
|abrupt dismissal
Synonyms
brusque (Close in meaning, but slightly more formal and literary; often used for professionals like waiters, doctors, or officials.)
|
curt (Stresses being very brief and clipped, usually clearly rude.)
|
blunt (Focuses more on direct, honest words without softness, not always clearly rude.)
Antonyms
polite (Shows care not to sound rude or short with other people.)
|
friendly (Suggests warm, kind behavior instead of cold, short behavior.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|social
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Speaking or acting so short and direct that it feels rude.
Describing a way of speaking or behaving that is very brief and direct, so that it seems rude or unfriendly.
C1
3
meredek
B1
szakadékos
C1
Usage pattern:
an abrupt [slope/drop/rise/cliff/bank]
The path ended at an abrupt cliff above the sea.
Az ösvény a tenger fölötti meredek sziklafalnál ért véget.
There is an abrupt drop in the road just after the bridge.
Az út közvetlenül a híd után hirtelen meredeken lejt.
We climbed an abrupt slope to reach the viewpoint.
An abrupt rise in the ground blocked our view of the valley.
Be careful: the river has an abrupt bank on this side.
Learner examples
There is an abrupt drop next to the road.
Az út mellett meredek lejtő van.
We walked up an abrupt hill.
Felsétáltunk egy meredek dombra.
The cliff has an abrupt edge.
The land makes an abrupt rise near the village.
The path stops at an abrupt wall of rock.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use only 'steep' in these cases. 'Abrupt' suggests not just steep but also that the steep part begins suddenly, which can be important in safety warnings or descriptions.
Meaning
very steep, almost vertical
Collocations
abrupt slope
|abrupt drop
|abrupt cliff
|abrupt rise
|abrupt incline
|abrupt bank
Synonyms
steep (Most common word; may suggest difficult to climb but not always as sudden as 'abrupt'.)
|
sheer (Often stronger than 'abrupt', suggesting almost straight up or straight down.)
Antonyms
gentle (Describes a slope that changes slowly and is not steep.)
|
gradual (Highlights that the rise or fall happens slowly over a distance, not suddenly.)
Themes
nature
|travel
|geography
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very steep in height or depth, going up or down very quickly.
Describing a slope, hill, rise, or drop that is very steep and sudden, almost vertical.
C1
4
hirtelen
A2
Usage pattern:
an abrupt [transition/shift/change of subject/ending]
The film's abrupt ending left the audience unsatisfied.
A film átmenet nélküli befejezése miatt a közönség elégedetlen maradt.
There was an abrupt change of subject when the topic became uncomfortable.
Amikor a téma kellemetlenné vált, átmenet nélkül témát váltottak.
Critics complained about the abrupt transitions between scenes.
The article makes an abrupt shift in tone halfway through.
His story felt confusing because of the abrupt jumps in time.
Learner examples
The book has an abrupt ending.
A könyv befejezése hirtelen és átmenet nélküli.
There was an abrupt change of subject at dinner.
Vacsora közben hirtelen témát váltottak.
The speaker made an abrupt shift in tone.
The video had an abrupt cut to a new scene.
Her story was hard to follow because of the abrupt jumps.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes only say 'sudden ending' or 'sudden change of subject'. 'Abrupt' is more common and slightly stronger in many written and spoken reviews when criticizing style or structure.
Meaning
lacking a smooth transition
Collocations
abrupt transition
|abrupt shift in tone
|abrupt change of subject
|abrupt ending
|abrupt cut
|abrupt jump
Synonyms
jarring (Emphasizes that the sudden change feels unpleasant or shocking to the senses or mind.)
|
disjointed (Suggests that parts do not connect well; can describe overall structure, not only one change.)
Antonyms
smooth (Describes a connection or change that feels natural and easy to follow.)
|
seamless (Stresses that there is no clear break between parts; the transition is perfectly smooth.)
Themes
communication
|art
|change
|time
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Changing to something else too suddenly, without a smooth link.
Describing a change in subject, style, activity, or state that happens too suddenly, without a smooth or natural connection.
Grammar
Dictionary form
abrupt
IPA
GB/əbɹˈʌpt/
US/əbɹˈʌpt/
Syllables & stress
ab - rupt (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (rupt)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: abrupt
- Comparative: abrupter
- Superlative: abruptest
Word family
Forms
abrupter
adjective
abruptest
adjective
Core family
abruptly
adverb B1
Related words
abruptness
noun
Expressions
an abrupt about-face
1/ən əbɹˈʌpt əbˈaʊt fˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
a sudden complete reversal
A very sudden and complete change in opinion, plan, or policy.
Examples
- The company’s abrupt about-face on remote work surprised employees.
- The politician made an abrupt about-face and supported the bill he had opposed.
- Fans were confused by the director’s abrupt about-face in style in his new film.
an abrupt change
1/ən əbɹˈʌpt t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
a very sudden change
A change that happens very fast and without warning.
Examples
- There has been an abrupt change in government policy.
- We noticed an abrupt change in his behavior after the accident.
- The company made an abrupt change in its marketing strategy.
an abrupt halt
1/ən əbɹˈʌpt hˈɔlt/
fixed phrase
a very sudden stop
A stop that happens very quickly and suddenly.
Examples
- The car came to an abrupt halt at the red light.
- Progress on the project came to an abrupt halt due to budget cuts.
- The machine came to an abrupt halt when the power failed.
an abrupt turn
1/ən əbɹˈʌpt tˈɚn/
fixed phrase
a sudden, sharp change of direction
A very quick and sharp change in direction.
Examples
- The road makes an abrupt turn to the left after the bridge.
- He made an abrupt turn and almost hit the wall.
- The bike crashed when the rider took an abrupt turn on the wet road.
come to an abrupt end
1/kˈʌm tə ən əbɹˈʌpt ˈɛnd/
fixed phrase
stop very suddenly and completely
To stop very suddenly and fully, often in a surprising or unpleasant way.
Examples
- Their partnership came to an abrupt end after the argument.
- The concert came to an abrupt end when the power went out.
- Talks between the two countries came to an abrupt end last week.