sudden

1 of 2

adjective

sud·​den ˈsə-dᵊn How to pronounce sudden (audio)
1
a
: happening or coming unexpectedly
a sudden shower
b
: changing angle or character all at once
a sudden drop in the ocean bottom
2
: marked by or manifesting abruptness or haste
a sudden departure
3
: made or brought about in a short time : prompt
suddenly adverb
suddenness noun

sudden

2 of 2

noun

obsolete
: an unexpected occurrence : emergency
Phrases
all of a sudden or less commonly on a sudden
: sooner than was expected : at once
Choose the Right Synonym for sudden

precipitate, headlong, abrupt, impetuous, sudden mean showing undue haste or unexpectedness.

precipitate stresses lack of due deliberation and implies prematureness of action.

the army's precipitate withdrawal

headlong stresses rashness and lack of forethought.

a headlong flight from arrest

abrupt stresses curtness and a lack of warning or ceremony.

an abrupt refusal

impetuous stresses extreme impatience or impulsiveness.

an impetuous lover proposing marriage

sudden stresses unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action.

flew into a sudden rage

Examples of sudden in a Sentence

Adjective a sudden change in temperature Sudden fame can be difficult to deal with. She had a sudden urge to be outside. His death was very sudden. a sudden turn in the road I was surprised by her sudden decision to quit. The director's sudden departure leaves the organization's future uncertain.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Now, all of a sudden, he’s being covered by underground rap microblogs with the intensity of UK tabloids obsessing over ex–Love Island stars and Black Premier League strikers. Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 22 Mar. 2024 While politicians in Kyiv were trying to hold the country together following then President Viktor Yanukovich’s sudden departure on February 22, following months of political uncertainty and protests, Moscow set its sights on Crimea. Vasco Cotovio, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 Starting someplace ordinary, and then making a sudden departure—that feels true to life to me, too. Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 Since launch, the Ocean has been dogged by quality issues, with owners complaining of sudden power losses, glitchy key fobs and sensors, hoods flying open, and brake problems. Jeremy White, WIRED, 18 Mar. 2024 Tian says the team’s first clinical target will be temporary CRT for patients at risk for sudden cardiac death. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Mar. 2024 In recent days, Boeing alerted airlines to a potential issue with loose switches on the pilot seats of its 787 Dreamliner jets after one of the planes went into a sudden dive, injuring 50 people, The Washington Post reported. Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 Tis time round, however, plot driver is the sudden dependence of a a redoubtable mother, portrayed by Adrian Ozores, who won a best supporting actress award. John Hopewell, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024 After 26 years without a domestic national security law, the sudden sense of urgency was clear among legislators. Alan Wong, Fortune Asia, 9 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sudden.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English sodain, from Anglo-French sudain, from Latin subitaneus, from subitus sudden, from past participle of subire to come up, from sub- up + ire to go — more at sub-, issue entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1558, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sudden was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near sudden

Cite this Entry

“Sudden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sudden. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sudden

adjective
sud·​den
ˈsəd-ᵊn
1
a
: happening or coming unexpectedly
a sudden shower
b
: changing angle or character all at once
a sudden turn in the road
2
: marked by or showing haste
a sudden decision
3
: made or brought about in a short time
a sudden cure
suddenly adverb
suddenness
ˈsəd-ᵊn-(n)əs
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on sudden

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