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
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 The impact was so severe that one passenger claimed his shirt was ripped off from the sudden pressure in the cabin. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 Stefanie Smith, 41, was on American Airlines Flight 2790 from Punta Cana to Charlotte, North Carolina, on Feb. 28 when her health took a sudden turn, police said. Haley Chi-Sing, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2024 Seen in the cold light of Reznor’s new life, the aftermath of The Downward Spiral’s sudden success amid growing personal and creative struggle would continue to haunt him, until the closure of Nine Inch Nails’ 2013 album, Hesitation Marks. Adam Steiner, SPIN, 8 Mar. 2024 Since the early days of modern cinema, the sudden appearance of color film in an otherwise black-and-white story has called audiences to attention. Jacob Brogan, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 But without the right treatment, about a quarter of patients develop aneurysms of the coronary arteries, which can lead to sudden heart attacks and death, even years or decades later — as apparently happened to the young man whose tissue Dr. Burns was analyzing. Emily Baumgaertner Ariana Drehsler, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024 Impulsivity can lead to sudden, unplanned acts of stealing without considering the consequences. Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Feb. 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 19 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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