1
[ adjective ] marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions

Synonyms

disconnected

Examples

"abrupt prose"

Used in print

(Clement Greenberg, "Collage" in his Art and...)

These areas by_virtue_of their abrupt density of pattern , stated the literal surface with such new and superior force that the resulting contrast drove the simulated printing into a depth from which it could be rescued - and set to shuttling again - only by conventional perspective ; that_is , by being placed in such relation to the forms depicted within the illusion that these forms left no room for the typography except near the surface .

(Marvin Schiller, "The Sheep's in the Meadow,"...)

All about me there was a hectic interplay of meetings taking_place , like abrupt , jerky scenes in old silent_movies , joyous greetings and beginnings , huggings and kissings , enthusiastic forays into the festive night .

Related terms

staccato

2
[ adjective ] exceedingly sudden and unexpected

Examples

"came to an abrupt stop" "an abrupt change in the weather"

Used in print

(Edward Jablonski, Harold Arlen Happy with the Blues....)

His casual , dreamlike working methods , often as not in_absentia , were an abrupt change from Harburg 's , so that Arlen had_to adjust again to another approach to collaboration .

(87th Congress, 1st Session. Congressional Record....)

A naval_blockade would be thoroughly in line with the Monroe_Doctrine , would be a relatively simple operation to carry_out , and would bring an abrupt end to Soviet penetration of our hemisphere `` .

Related terms

sudden

3
[ adjective ] extremely steep

Synonyms

sharp precipitous

Examples

"an abrupt canyon" "the precipitous rapids of the upper river" "the precipitous hills of Chinese paintings" "a sharp drop"

Related terms

steep

4
[ adjective ] surprisingly and unceremoniously brusque in manner

Examples

"an abrupt reply"

Related terms

discourteous

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