abruptly

In jarring fashion

Abruptly means suddenly, without warning or gradual transition.

Something that happens abruptly catches you off guard: The music stopped abruptly.

It can also describe a manner that's curt or brusque: She abruptly ended the conversation and walked away.

sudden

suddenly

Without prior indication

instantaneouslyOccurring without time passing
immediatelyWithout any pause
precipitouslyExtremely steeply or hastily

swiftly · rapidly · quickly · hastily · sharply · without warning · all at once · in an instant · out of nowhere · unexpectedly

brusque

curtly

Rudely brief in speech

bluntlySpeaking without diplomacy
terselyIn few words
grufflyIn a rough manner

sharply · rudely · impolitely · unceremoniously · discourteously · snappily · offhandedly · coldly · dismissively · harshly

ending

halting

Marked by hesitation

stoppingCeasing to continue
ceasingComing to an end
breaking offHalting abruptly mid-action

cutting short · discontinuing · interrupting · terminating · ending · concluding · truncating · suspending · severing · dropping

Categories

instantlysuddenly, instantly, immediately, at once, in a flash
adverbsquickly, slowly, very, really, now
harshlyharshly, sharply, curtly, bluntly, rudely
sudden thingssuddenly, unexpectedly, instantly, spontaneous, surprise
suddennesssudden, suddenly, instant, instantly, immediate

Opposites

suddenness/pace of transition

abruptlygradually

In slow stages

slowly · incrementally · progressively · steadily · bit by bit

social manner/interpersonal style

abruptlygraciously

With elegant kindness

politely · gently · smoothly · affably · courteously

manner/smoothness

abruptlysmoothly

Without friction or difficulty

gently · softly · seamlessly · fluidly · gracefully

Phrases

abrupt haltSudden, complete cessation
abrupt transitionSudden, unexpected change

Family

abrupt, abruptness

Familiarity: Top 10,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G