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Synonym Chooser

How is the word abrupt different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of abrupt are precipitous, sheer, and steep. While all these words mean "having an incline approaching the perpendicular," abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level.

a beach with an abrupt drop-off

When could precipitous be used to replace abrupt?

The words precipitous and abrupt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical.

the river winds through a precipitous gorge

When is sheer a more appropriate choice than abrupt?

The words sheer and abrupt can be used in similar contexts, but sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse.

sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers

When would steep be a good substitute for abrupt?

The synonyms steep and abrupt are sometimes interchangeable, but steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult.

a steep hill
a steep dive

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abrupt First, two contestants' past use of racial slurs online caused their abrupt removals from the hit reality TV dating show, one just days into filming and another late in the season. Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 13 July 2025 There have been plenty of scandals, including the abrupt elimination of two contestants following the resurfacing of past racist remarks. Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 12 July 2025 The Wimbledon women's final came to an abrupt close on Saturday as Poland's Iga Świątek delivered a swift, crushing defeat against American player Amanda Anisimova. Alana Wise, NPR, 12 July 2025 However, her time in Fiji came to an abrupt end as shown during Episode 30, which aired on Sunday, July 6. Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for abrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abrupt
Adjective
  • The cause of death was traumatic blunt force injuries.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 21 July 2025
  • The magnetized tank struck the child, who died of blunt force trauma injuries.
    Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • However, Trump has imposed steep new taxes on imports of Canadian steel, aluminum and autos, and Carney's team has focused on trying to get those eliminated or reduced.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 July 2025
  • But Trump has resisted backing a bipartisan U.S. bill to impose steep sanctions on Russia, instead giving Russia 50 days to accept a peace deal or face sanctions on its energy exports.
    Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • While some seemed excited about Buck's sudden appearance, some speculated about the possibility of Stephanopoulos leaving the show.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • Then Kings of Leon and Black Keys come out of Nashville and then all of a sudden the diversity of the music that was coming out of there started to really grow over a short period of time.
    Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • For beginners, Bravo recommends starting with short sessions and using a handle for support while your body adapts.
    Jordan Galloway, SELF, 15 July 2025
  • Nestled in the forest and just a short buggy ride from the main grounds, the one-bedroom Villa Pentágonos is the hotel's crown jewel—a retreat where nature and creature comforts coexist.
    Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • His unexpected cameo also served as a promotion for his Big3 basketball league, which is slated to play games at Heritage Bank Center on July 26, the last night of the Cincinnati Music Festival.
    Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 27 July 2025
  • However, as the day progresses, unexpected events might catch you off guard, which could test your patience.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • Audiences can often sense the corporate overlords’ gruff hands pushing these previously distinct programs together.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 July 2025
  • On the other hand, the 73-year-old Belichick’s gruff persona, with his monosyllabic utterances at news conferences, has become the stuff of legend.
    Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • The judge was curt but courteous; a Spanish-language interpreter was available on a large video screen to his right.
    Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 25 July 2025
  • If that bluntness sound a little prosaic at first, there’s a curt poetry to it that comes into focus listening through 15 tracks that consist almost entirely of sisters Danielle, Alana and Este Haim handing in their respective resignations to long- or short-term partners, effectively immediately.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • The same substantive deficits afflict Louise-Parker, too, whose bright eyes and brusque wit are wasted in a role that’s villainous potential exists only in exposition.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 July 2025
  • Going from Pitch Stop to Drama Room meant a brusque shift, with all four projects grappling with questions either directly tied to or adjacent to modern masculinity.
    Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 21 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abrupt. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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