abrupt
/ə'brʌpt/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Surprisingly and unceremoniously brusque in manner: Describes speech or behavior that is unexpectedly blunt, curt, or rude, without politeness or warning.
- Extremely steep: Describes a physical slope, drop, or incline that is very sharp, severe, or almost vertical.
- Exceedingly sudden and unexpected: Describes an event, change, or stop that happens without warning, very quickly, and surprisingly.
- Marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions: Describes writing or speech that lacks smooth connections, jumping suddenly from one idea to another.
Usage Examples
- Adjective (Brusque Manner):
- His abrupt manner made the interview very uncomfortable.
- She gave an abrupt "no" and ended the call.
- Adjective (Extremely Steep):
- The trail ended at an abrupt cliff edge.
- We were careful driving down the abrupt descent.
- Adjective (Sudden and Unexpected):
- The meeting came to an abrupt end when the fire alarm sounded.
- There has been an abrupt shift in the company's policy.
- Adjective (Sharp Transitions):
- The author's abrupt style can be difficult to follow.
- The conversation was full of abrupt jumps from topic to topic.
Advanced Usage
- "abrupt with someone": To be curt or brusque in dealing with a specific person.
- The manager was unusually abrupt with the new intern.
- In geological/geographical contexts: Often used to describe dramatic natural features.
- The abrupt canyon walls were formed by centuries of erosion.
Variants and Related Words
- Abruptly (adverb): In a sudden and unexpected manner.
- The car stopped abruptly.
- Abruptness (noun): The quality of being sudden or curt.
- The abruptness of his departure shocked everyone.
Synonyms
- Sudden: Happening quickly and without warning.
- Curt: Rudely brief in speech or manner.
- Precipitous: Dangerously high or steep (similar to the "steep" meaning).
- Brusque: Abrupt and blunt in manner.
Antonyms
- Gradual: Taking place slowly over time.
- Gracious: Courteous, kind, and pleasant.
- Gentle: Mild or moderate; not steep or harsh.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- To come to an abrupt halt/end: To stop suddenly and completely.
- The party came to an abrupt halt when the neighbors complained.
- An abrupt about-face: A very sudden and complete reversal of opinion, policy, or direction.
- The government did an abrupt about-face on its tax proposal.
Adjective
- surprisingly and unceremoniously brusque in manner
- an abrupt reply
- extremely steep
- an abrupt canyon
- the precipitous rapids of the upper river
- the precipitous hills of Chinese paintings
- a sharp drop
- exceedingly sudden and unexpected
- came to an abrupt stop
- an abrupt change in the weather
- marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions
- abrupt prose