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sudden

adjective
sud·​den | \ ˈsÉ™-dᵊn How to pronounce sudden (audio) \

Definition of sudden

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

sudden

noun

Definition of sudden (Entry 2 of 2)

obsolete
: an unexpected occurrence : emergency
all of a sudden or less commonly on a sudden
: sooner than was expected : at once
Other Words from sudden Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about sudden

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Other Words from sudden

Adjective

suddenly adverb
suddenness \ ˈsÉ™-​dᵊn-​(n)É™s How to pronounce suddenness (audio) \ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for sudden

Synonyms: Adjective

abrupt, unanticipated, unexpected, unforeseen, unlooked-for

Antonyms: Adjective

anticipated, expected, foreseen

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Choose the Right Synonym for sudden

Adjective

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.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

 So all of a sudden the party has to adopt a lot of the logistical roles that the secretary of state’s office plays. — Eren Orbey, The New Yorker, "A Virtual Threat to Iowa’s First-in-the-Nation Caucuses," 30 Aug. 2019 Shark tourism helps raise money for conservation, and the sudden absence of the apex predators could have knock-on effects on the whole ecosystem. — Linda Nordling, Science | AAAS, "Great white sharks have suddenly disappeared from one of their favorite hangouts," 30 Aug. 2019 Additionally, tornadoes tend to be sudden, short-lived events, meaning they were not always well-documented in the past, Gensini noted. — Chelsea Harvey, Scientific American, "Possible Links Between Warming and Tornadoes Are Still Murky," 22 Aug. 2019 The lines illustrated his theory that culture advances in sudden dramatic jumps followed by long plateaus. — Smithsonian, "John Steinbeck’s Epic Ocean Voyage Rewrote the Rules of Ecology," 22 Aug. 2019 All of a sudden, Rojas was knocking down the door to the show. — Richard Morin, azcentral, "How Arizona-native Josh Rojas went from obscurity to finding a home with Diamondbacks," 16 Aug. 2019 All of a sudden, the US president seems to be taking an active interest in what’s happening on the streets of Hong Kong. — Mary Hui, Quartz, "No one quite understands what Donald Trump is saying about Hong Kong," 15 Aug. 2019 As soon as those guys get competition, all of a sudden their game rises to the occasion. — Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, "Vikings still won’t say if Kaare Vedvik is a kicker, a punter … or both," 15 Aug. 2019 All of a sudden, confidence was flowing through the team who couldn't wait to get forward and go for the kill. — SI.com, "Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea (5-4 Pens): Report, Ratings & Reaction as Reds Claim Super Cup Glory," 14 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sudden.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of sudden

Adjective

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

Noun

1558, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for sudden

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

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More Definitions for sudden

sudden

adjective
How to pronounce sudden (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of sudden

: happening, coming, or done very quickly in a way that is usually not expected

See the full definition for sudden in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sudden

adjective
sud·​den | \ ˈsÉ™-dᵊn How to pronounce sudden (audio) \

Kids Definition of sudden

1 : happening or coming quickly and unexpectedly … she was startled by a sudden outburst of noise.— Robert C. O'Brien, Rats of NIMH
2 : met with unexpectedly We came to a sudden turn in the road.
3 : hasty sense 2 He made a sudden decision.
all of a sudden
: sooner than was expected : suddenly All of a sudden I saw him.

Other Words from sudden

suddenly

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