Definition

1. 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

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