Abrupt Word Meaning

late 16th century: from Latin abruptus ‘broken off, steep’, past participle of abrumpere, from ab- ‘away, from’ + rumpere ‘break’

sudden and unexpected

sudden

• I was surprised by the abrupt change of subject
• the match came to an abrupt end

brief to the point of rudeness; curt

rude

• you were rather abrupt with that young man

steep; precipitous

steep

• the abrupt double peak