interruption
Unwelcome cutting in
An interruption is something that stops a process or activity, or the act of stopping it.
A phone call interrupts a conversation; a power outage interrupts work.
Sorry for the interruption.
To speak while someone else is speaking is to interrupt them: His constant interruptions made discussion impossible.
An interruption in service means a temporary stoppage.
Temporary cessation of activity
- breakInterrupt continuity
- haltComplete sudden stop
- stoppageInterruption of flow
- hiatusBreak in activity
intermission · interlude · recess · respite · lull · breather · gap · suspension
Forceful interruption of process
- disturbanceDisruption of order
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- hindranceBarrier to progress
- derailmentLeaving the intended track
complication · impediment · holdup · setback · snag · hitch · intrusion · intervention
Occurring without prior notice
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- joltAbrupt forceful shake
startle · shock · alarm · disconcert · unsettle · blindside · ambush · unanticipated
Without motion or change
- noiseUnwanted auditory disturbance
- glitchMinor system fault
- dropoutOne who quits early
- cutoutShape removed from material
buffering · lag · disconnection · blackout · outage · malfunction · error · fault
Sudden emotional release
- hecklingHostile audience interruption
- blurtingImpulsive verbal outburst
- asideBrief theatrical digression
- digressionVeering off topic
tangent · non-sequitur · crosstalk · filibuster · overtalking
pause
Temporary cessation of activity
hiatus · intermission · interlude · recess · respite · lull · breather · gap · suspension · adjournment
disruption
Forceful interruption of process
- disturbanceDisruption of order
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- hindranceBarrier to progress
derailment · complication · impediment · holdup · setback · snag · hitch · intrusion · intervention · imposition
sudden
Occurring without prior notice
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
jolt · startle · shock · alarm · disconcert · unsettle · blindside · ambush · unanticipated · jarring
static
Without motion or change
cutout · buffering · lag · disconnection · blackout · outage · malfunction · error · fault · break-in
outburst
Sudden emotional release
- hecklingHostile audience interruption
- blurtingImpulsive verbal outburst
- asideBrief theatrical digression
digression · tangent · non-sequitur · crosstalk · filibuster · overtalking
- disruptionsdisturbance, delay, obstruction, service disruption, stoppage
- interruptionscutting off, disruption, butting in, breaking in, jumping in
- conversationlistening, talk, talking, chat, speaking
- debatesmoderator, podium, lectern, rebuttal, rebuttals
- dialogueconversation, line, lines, banter, talk
- setbacksfailing, back to square one, stuck, losing, stumbles
interruptioncontinuation
Act of proceeding further
continuity · seamlessness · continuum · run · stretch
interruptionactive listening
Focused, responsive attention to speech
turn-taking · silence · listening · patience · deference
- rude interruption
- unexpected interruptionUnforeseen break in continuity
- not interruptingRefraining from cutting in
- interrupting cowJoke character that moos early
- business interruptionForced cessation of commerce