ISEE/SSAT Vocabulary Builder›Words›A›abrupt
ISEE/SSATeasy
abrupt
happening suddenly and without warning
Synonyms
- sudden
- unexpected
Antonyms
- gradual
- expected
abrupt in a sentence
The bus made an abrupt stop, throwing bags off the overhead rack.
The coach's abrupt decision to bench the star player shocked the entire team before the championship game.
Where it comes from
From Latin abruptus 'broken off'
Memory hook
AB-RUPT sounds like 'a rupture' — something breaks off suddenly.
Word parts
- ab — away from, off of
abrupt: ab- (off) + rupt (broken) - rupt — break, burst
abrupt: ab- (off, away) + rupt (broken)
Read it in context
- Signal in the Storm Narrative