Definition Definition

abrupt - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'abrupt' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Abrupt [ a.]
- Broken off; very steep, or craggy, as rocks, precipices, banks; precipitous; steep; as, abrupt places.
- Without notice to prepare the mind for the event; sudden; hasty; unceremonious.
- Having sudden transitions from one subject to another; unconnected.
- Suddenly terminating, as if cut off.
2 . Abrupt [ n.]
- An abrupt place.
3 . Abrupt [ v. t.]
- To tear off or asunder.

Meaning of 'abrupt' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . abrupt [ s]
Meaning (1):
- extremely steep
Example in sentence:
  • a sharp drop;
  • an abrupt canyon;
  • the precipitous hills of Chinese paintings;
  • the precipitous rapids of the upper river
Meaning (2):
- marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions
Example in sentence:
  • abrupt prose
Meaning (3):
- exceedingly sudden and unexpected
Example in sentence:
  • an abrupt change in the weather;
  • came to an abrupt stop
Meaning (4):
- surprisingly and unceremoniously brusque in manner
Example in sentence:
  • an abrupt reply