sudden
Out of nowhere
Sudden describes something that happens quickly and without warning: a sudden storm, a sudden realization, a sudden death.
The emphasis is on unexpectedness rather than mere speed—a sudden change catches you off guard.
All of a sudden means abruptly or without anticipation: All of a sudden, the lights went out.
Not predicted or expected
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- unplannedNot arranged beforehand
- unpremeditatedWithout advance planning
unlooked-for · unheralded · unpredictable · blindside · unprepared · caught-off-guard · unannounced · bolt
Lasting very briefly
- flashBrief burst of light
- split-secondFraction of a moment
- blinkRapid lid movement
- heartbeatRhythmic cardiac contraction
twinkling · immediate · instantaneous · quick · swift · rapid · fast · lightning
Lasting psychological wound
- impactForceful contact or consequence
- blowMove air forcefully
- stunDaze by force
- joltAbrupt forceful shake
startle · alarm · fright · scare · panic · terror · horror · dismay
unforeseen
Not predicted or expected
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- unplannedNot arranged beforehand
unpremeditated · unlooked-for · unheralded · unpredictable · blindside · unprepared · caught-off-guard · unannounced · bolt · thunderbolt
momentary
Lasting very briefly
- flashBrief burst of light
- split-secondFraction of a moment
- blinkRapid lid movement
heartbeat · twinkling · immediate · instantaneous · quick · swift · rapid · fast · lightning · meteoric
trauma
Lasting psychological wound
jolt · startle · alarm · fright · scare · panic · terror · horror · dismay · astonish
jolt
Abrupt forceful shake
- precipitateHeadlong and reckless
- hastyExcessively quick, ill-considered
- snapSudden sharp sound
sharp · jarring · brusque · curt · blunt · cutoff · halt · stop · brake · swerve
acute
Intensely severe or perceptive
- outbreakSudden eruption of trouble
- flare-upSudden recurrence of symptoms
- eruptionViolent sudden release
surge · spike · outburst · attack · fit · spell · episode · paroxysm · seizure · convulsion
- ___ silencedeathly, eerie, awkward, uncomfortable, stunned
- suddennessabrupt, abruptly, instant, instantly, immediate
- seizuresseizure, epileptic, convulsion, fit, attack
- fast-actinginstant, rapid, quick, swift, speedy
- time wordsminute, hour, day, now, soon
- Rhythm Gamesarrows, combo, full combo, timing window, difficulty rating
suddengradual
Developing slowly over time
slow · incremental · progressive · step-by-step · stepwise
suddenexpected
Regarded as likely
anticipated · foreseen · predicted · predictable · foreseeable
- all of a suddenWithout any prior indication
- sudden deathInstant-win tiebreaker format
- sudden change
- sudden impact
- sudden noise
- sudden realization