abrupt

[ uh-bruhpt ]
/ əˈbrʌpt /

adjective

sudden or unexpected: an abrupt departure.
curt or brusque in speech, manner, etc.: an abrupt reply.
terminating or changing suddenly: an abrupt turn in a road.
having many sudden changes from one subject to another; lacking in continuity or smoothness: an abrupt writing style.
steep; precipitous: an abrupt descent.
Botany. truncate(def 4).

Origin of abrupt

1575–85; < Latin abruptus broken off (past participle of abrumpere), equivalent to ab- ab- + -rup- break + -tus past participle suffix

SYNONYMS FOR abrupt

1, 3 quick, sharp. See sudden.
2 short, hurried, hasty, blunt.
4 discontinuous, broken, uneven.

OTHER WORDS FROM abrupt

ab·rupt·ly, adverb ab·rupt·ness, noun un·ab·rupt·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for abrupt

British Dictionary definitions for abrupt

abrupt
/ (əˈbrʌpt) /

adjective

sudden; unexpected
brusque or brief in speech, manner, etc; curt
(of a style of writing or speaking) making sharp transitions from one subject to another; disconnected
precipitous; steep
botany shaped as though a part has been cut off; truncate
geology (of strata) cropping out suddenly

Derived forms of abrupt

abruptly, adverb abruptness, noun

Word Origin for abrupt

C16: from Latin abruptus broken off, from ab- 1 + rumpere to break