DISCONTINUITY Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

discontinuity

noun

(ˌ)dis-ˌkän-tə-ˈnü-ə-tē

Definition of discontinuity

as in gap

an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge) microscopic discontinuities in the connecting wires

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in interruption

a break in continuity a noticeable discontinuity in the flow of the story

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of discontinuity Advertisement Rather than a drastic discontinuity, Moltbook is best understood as the latest (and largest) in a line of experiments that tease out the limits of AI agents. — Tharin Pillay, Time, 3 Feb. 2026 The researchers were trying to test a concept known as temporal discontinuity, in which a brief amount of time passes between the introduction of an item and the assignment of its name. — New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026 In the experiment called a discontinuity condition, dog owners first showed the dogs the toys and then put the objects inside of a bucket. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Jan. 2026 Where the VisEra device does fall short is in its response to light that comes in at an angle because of discontinuities in the metasurface. — Gwendolyn Rak, IEEE Spectrum, 13 Dec. 2023 See All Example Sentences for discontinuity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for discontinuity

Noun

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have uncovered a new processor attack that can bypass defenses in Intel and AMD chips by exploiting a security gap lasting only a handful of instructions.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
That’s not an easy gap to close, especially in a state with strict budget caps.

— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of gap

Noun

The explosions provide different interruptions, punctuating the moment as one of Keeley’s ideas plays out in real time.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
The state also acknowledged technical interruptions affecting some schools during this year’s testing window.

— Katie Pace Miles, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of interruption

Noun

McIlroy surged into the top-10 on Saturday with a 7-under 63, powered by nine birdies, including three in his final four holes.

— Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The researchers engineered an additional GaN layer that naturally creates a second sheet containing mobile holes, called a two-dimensional hole gas, or 2DHG.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of hole

Browse Nearby Words

discontinuities

discontinuity

discontinuous

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Discontinuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discontinuity. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of discontinuity

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes