interrupt

verb

ˌin-tə-ˈrəpt How to pronounce interrupt (audio)
Definition of interruptnext
as in to intrude
to cause a disruption in a conversation or discussion it's rude to interrupt when someone is making an important point

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of interrupt The band started sessions for a new album in 1977, but the process was interrupted by Linda’s pregnancy and the departure of guitarist Jimmy McCulloch and drummer Joe English. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2026 That same work found interrupting therapy worsened symptoms, which is the clinical reason abrupt stops are what prescribers try hardest to prevent. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026 Throughout dinner, we’re interrupted by patrons ranging from Bessent—who stops by and offers a warm greeting—to a number of people who arrive in succession and appear to be gushing fans of the anchor, though Baier recognizes all of them by name. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026 Same with performance check-ins, team huddles and the casual questions that used to interrupt us all day. — Jordan Dunin, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for interrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interrupt
  1. intrude
  2. bother
  3. cut in
  4. add
  5. interpose
  6. break in
Verb
  • With only two minutes for the family to talk, Seyfried suddenly seems mortified to be intruding.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The judge concluded that the policy violated federal law and intruded on authority Congress had left with the states.
    — Thom Reilly, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of intrude
Verb
  • The mathematics and computer science graduate, who spent two years in the Peace Corps, launched Netflix by mailing DVDs in red envelopes to customers bothered by Blockbuster Video chain’s practices and late fees.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Some people, like me, are bothered by such images but can mostly ignore them.
    — Gabriela Galvin, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of bother
Verb
  • But even those recreations are cut in with actual archival footage, so they are connected.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Equally noteworthy were the robe coats (belts optional) at Colleen Allen and Calvin Klein, cut in soft shapes for a natural drape.
    — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of cut in
Verb
  • To fix the chemical interference, the research team added a decoupling modulator molecule featuring ammonium ions, iodide ions, and two sulfonate groups to the precursor solution.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The victory also adds another chapter to Lula's long political career, securing him a fourth, nonconsecutive presidential term.
    — Catherine Osborn, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of add
Verb
  • The short-haired friend interposed herself on the bench between the twenty-three-year-old woman and the thirty-five-year-old man, putting her arm around the former and totally ignoring the latter.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
  • Language, being a product of rationality, lacks the capacity to interpose itself.
    — Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 13 June 2026
Definition of interpose
Verb
  • There will be breaks in the rain, but showers will continue on and off into the early Thursday.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The 37 absentee ballots were initially excluded after then-City Clerk Rana Faraj raised concerns about a break in their chain of custody.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of break in

Browse Nearby Words

interrogatory
interrupt
interrupted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Interrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interrupt. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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