SUDDENLY Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

suddenly

adverb

Definition of suddenly

as in abruptly

with great suddenness the bus stopped suddenly, and somebody's lunch landed in the aisle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unexpectedly

without warning suddenly, something fell out of the sky and landed in the field a few feet away

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 suddenly Projects that communities had originally welcomed were suddenly met with fierce opposition, and companies had to improve. — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 A lot of Asian American people have this experience of reading in lit courses about predominantly white authors and characters and suddenly there’s Lee, who is remarkably legible as someone inside of his social milieu yet almost a unicorn. — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026 As the actor-musicians relaying the tale arrive at the moment of Benjamin’s birth, on an eventful evening in December 1918, the vivid lyrics depict a town whose water suddenly, inexplicably reverses course. — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 Then, late last Tuesday, a drone launched toward Russian troops suddenly lost connection. — Anastasiia Parafeniuk, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026 Some users who had developed emotional attachments complained that their AI companions suddenly felt different. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Unlike acute kidney injury (AKI), which develops suddenly and can often clear on its own, CKD involves persistent kidney problems. — Md Published, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2026 The limitation can cause any drones flying up to 100 miles per hour to suddenly lose their satellite internet connections. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026 And then when a tour suddenly ends, that part of your brain doesn’t just switch off, right? — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suddenly

Adverb

But, after spending months touting the benefits that Warner assets would bring, Netflix abruptly pulled out of the auction in late February when Paramount’s Ellison upped his company’s offer.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
After that war had ended, the period of Democratic hegemony under President Franklin Roosevelt also ended, and abruptly, with the results of the midterm of 1946.

— Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of abruptly

Adverb

The latest incidents, which follow a slew of reports of agents unexpectedly breaking out of sandboxes, showcased how even the safeguards built to corral AI systems are vulnerable to the technology.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Corlette said to make sure any arrangement is formally agreed upon in advance so the account isn't unexpectedly turned over to collections.

— Stephanie O'Neill, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026