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 Busch died suddenly in May, a tragic result of severe pneumonia devolving into sepsis. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026 Accounts of her bravery move the country, money and compensation flood in, and her family is suddenly in the spotlight. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026 Foreign governments suggested their citizens remain vigilant, but what can individuals do when threats come suddenly from the sky? — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Laird wanted to talk again, suddenly, to Janet, just as Ian wanted to talk again, to me. — Via Scribner, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026 When a storm, usually fed by unusually warm water, suddenly gathers a lot of strength, sustaining winds that increase in speed by at least 35 mph (56 kph) in 24 hours, it is called rapid intensification. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 The account provides helpful context for understanding the public drama of Musk suddenly dumping Shivon Zilis, his most recent partner and the mother of four of his kids. — Sheelah Kolhatkar, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026 Fast-forward nearly two decades, two kids, and considerably more dryness, fine lines, and dark spots later, and suddenly words like firming and plumping have my full attention. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 9 Oct. 2026 Scenes blend into each other, and characters suddenly find themselves in different locations while Other Mommy extends her seemingly infinite power. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suddenly

Adverb

Kerry McCoy’s guitar juices up a mid-song gallop by abruptly pivoting from big and noisy to compressed and snarling; at the climax, everything cuts out for a second to spotlight a Daniel Tracy drum fill.

— Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
The first preview opens with an innocent domestic exchange between a mother and daughter that abruptly transforms into something strikingly disturbing.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of abruptly

Adverb

The finale opened with a celebration of life for Crown & Anchor owner Mae (Annette Badland,), who died unexpectedly while supporting the Lady Greyhounds in episode nine.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
When Hanne, a staff member of a struggling animal rescue, unexpectedly becomes executor of a wealthy hunting family’s estate, a bitter battle over the inheritance erupts.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026