SUDDEN Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'sudden' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sudden are abrupt , headlong , impetuous , and precipitate . While all these words mean "showing undue haste or unexpectedness," sudden stresses unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action. // flew into a sudden rage

Q: When might 'abrupt' be a better fit than 'sudden'?

Although the words abrupt and sudden have much in common, abrupt stresses curtness and a lack of warning or ceremony. // an abrupt refusal

Q: When is it sensible to use 'headlong' instead of 'sudden'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sudden , headlong stresses rashness and lack of forethought. // a headlong flight from arrest

Q: When is 'impetuous' a more appropriate choice than 'sudden'?

The meanings of impetuous and sudden largely overlap; however, impetuous stresses extreme impatience or impulsiveness. // an impetuous lover proposing marriage

Q: Where would 'precipitate' be a reasonable alternative to 'sudden'?

While the synonyms precipitate and sudden are close in meaning, precipitate stresses lack of due deliberation and implies prematureness of action. // the army's precipitate withdrawal

sudden

adjective

ˈsə-dᵊn

Definition of sudden next

as in unexpected

not expected the sudden snowstorm resulted in thousands of evening commuters abandoning their cars on impassable highways

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How does the adjective sudden contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sudden are abrupt, headlong, impetuous, and precipitate. While all these words mean "showing undue haste or unexpectedness," sudden stresses unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action.

flew into a sudden rage

When might abrupt be a better fit than sudden?

Although the words abrupt and sudden have much in common, abrupt stresses curtness and a lack of warning or ceremony.

an abrupt refusal

When is it sensible to use headlong instead of sudden?

While in some cases nearly identical to sudden, headlong stresses rashness and lack of forethought.

a headlong flight from arrest

When is impetuous a more appropriate choice than sudden?

The meanings of impetuous and sudden largely overlap; however, impetuous stresses extreme impatience or impulsiveness.

an impetuous lover proposing marriage

Where would precipitate be a reasonable alternative to sudden?

While the synonyms precipitate and sudden are close in meaning, precipitate stresses lack of due deliberation and implies prematureness of action.

the army's precipitate withdrawal

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of sudden The spring and summer were hot with sudden conflict. —

Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2024 Abuse can lead to irregular heartbeat, ischemic heart conditions, sudden cardiac arrest, convulsions, strokes and death. —

Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 25 Dec. 2024 The brutal Assad regime is brought to a sudden end when Syrian rebels seize Damascus following a lightning offensive. —

The Week Uk, theweek, 25 Dec. 2024 He is also set on handing his successor a strong economy -- a feat that could be undermined by a sudden energy shock reprising the price spikes earlier in his administration. —

Jeff Stein and Ellen Nakashima The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 25 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sudden