abruptly
adverb
abrupt·ly
ə-ˈbrəp(t)-lē 
: in an abrupt manner : in a sudden and unexpected way
He left abruptly.
The car swerved abruptly onto the exit ramp.
Her career as a psychologist ended abruptly several years ago when a hacker broke into some of her private client files and made them public …—
Michael Logan
Michael LoganThe small, rocky Anacapa Island [California] has steep cliffs which rise abruptly from the ocean on almost every side …—David J. Rutherford
David J. Rutherford
Examples of abruptly in a Sentence
the car in front stopped abruptly, and we almost hit it
Recent Examples on the Web
This can also mean the calves are weaned abruptly and are fed limited amounts of milk.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
The latter's involuntary manslaughter case was abruptly dismissed in July due to allegations that prosecutors and law enforcement withheld evidence.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
But then, in the past day or two, the tone abruptly shifted.
—Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
If the data and tools used to understand complex data are abruptly taken off the internet, the work of scientists, civil society organizations and government officials themselves can grind to a halt.
—Alejandro Paz, The Conversation, 14 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for abruptly 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
The latter's involuntary manslaughter case was abruptly dismissed in July due to allegations that prosecutors and law enforcement withheld evidence.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
But then, in the past day or two, the tone abruptly shifted.
—Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
If the data and tools used to understand complex data are abruptly taken off the internet, the work of scientists, civil society organizations and government officials themselves can grind to a halt.
—Alejandro Paz, The Conversation, 14 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for abruptly
Dictionary Entries Near abruptly
Cite this Entry
“Abruptly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abruptly. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share