Need another word for Abruptly? Use these synonyms of Abruptly from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
suddenly
hastily
quickly
rapidly
swiftly
sharply
precipitously
unexpectedly
instantaneously
momentarily
briefly
fleetingly
transitorily
ephemeral
short-lived
curt
brusque
terse
blunt
crude
coarse
rude
rough
harsh
violent
forceful
vigorous
impetuous
headlong
reckless
impulsive
spontaneous
unanticipated
unforeseen
surprising
Meaning of Abruptly
The primary meaning of "Abruptly" is to stop or change something suddenly.
Definitions
- Oxford Languages defines "Abruptly" as happening or done suddenly and unexpectedly, or in a rude or unfriendly way.
- It can also imply a sudden and significant change, either in a physical sense, such as stopping or turning, or in a more abstract sense, like a change in behavior or circumstance.
Etymology of Abruptly
The word "Abruptly" originates from the Latin "abruptus," which is the past participle of "abripere," meaning to break off.
Historically, "Abruptly" has been used in English since the 15th century to describe actions or events that occur suddenly or without warning, reflecting its Latin roots in the idea of something being broken off or terminated suddenly.
Example Uses
- The meeting ended abruptly when the fire alarm went off.
- She stopped abruptly at the edge of the cliff, realizing how close she was to falling.
- The conversation turned abruptly to the topic of politics, making everyone uncomfortable.
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
gradually
slowly
gently
softly
quietly
peacefully
calmly
smoothly
continuously
steadily
consistently
predictably
expectedly
foreseeably
deliberately
intentionally
carefully
cautiously
prudently
wisely
thoughtfully