Synonyms of abruptly
: in an abrupt manner : in a sudden and unexpected way
He left abruptly.
The car swerved abruptly onto the exit ramp.
Her career as a psychologist ended abruptly several years ago when a hacker broke into some of her private client files and made them public …Michael Logan
The small, rocky Anacapa Island [California] has steep cliffs which rise abruptly from the ocean on almost every side …David J. Rutherford

Examples of abruptly in a Sentence

the car in front stopped abruptly, and we almost hit it
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Still, a sudden downpour eclipsed the show’s start, with many attendees scrambling for cover or abruptly changing into ponchos and hoodies. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 26 Aug. 2026 The local immigration attorney also said that the court has abruptly moved up his clients’ hearings on multiple occasions, only to reschedule them for weeks down the line. Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026 The agreement gives the NWSL a replacement for the Sunday night slate previously carried by Victory+, which the league abruptly dropped last month. Asli Pelit, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Send one clear message—and then stop chasing When someone abruptly goes quiet, the goal is to respond without escalating the conflict while staying grounded in your own needs, Needle says. Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abruptly

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of abruptly was in 1565

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abruptly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abruptly. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!