abrupt
Happening very fast and without warning.
Happening or changing very suddenly and without warning, often causing surprise or difficulty.
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.
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.
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.
- Base: abrupt
- Comparative: abrupter
- Superlative: abruptest
an abrupt about-face
1a sudden complete reversal
A very sudden and complete change in opinion, plan, or policy.
- 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
1a very sudden change
A change that happens very fast and without warning.
- 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
1a very sudden stop
A stop that happens very quickly and suddenly.
- 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
1a sudden, sharp change of direction
A very quick and sharp change in direction.
- 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
1stop very suddenly and completely
To stop very suddenly and fully, often in a surprising or unpleasant way.
- 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.