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
Synonyms
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
Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
That part of the tale is set in motion with a sudden squall – chillingly rendered by thunder cracks (kudos to John Shivers’ sound design) and flashes of lightning (ditto to lighting designer Kevin Adams).
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024
Beyoncé will perform at halftime of the second contest, drawing in dedicated fans and potentially causing a sudden spike in viewers, which can present technical challenges.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 18 Nov. 2024
The lack of regulation may help explain why the state has the nation’s lowest autopsy rate in child deaths attributed to unnatural or unknown causes — a category that includes suicides, homicides, crashes, drownings, overdoses and sudden infant deaths.
—Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sudden 
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Adjective
These sudden eruptions of random violence seem inspired by GSC’s own experiences having to stop work to flee to bomb shelters and finding previously peaceful streets marred by the war.
—Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
That part of the tale is set in motion with a sudden squall – chillingly rendered by thunder cracks (kudos to John Shivers’ sound design) and flashes of lightning (ditto to lighting designer Kevin Adams).
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024
Beyoncé will perform at halftime of the second contest, drawing in dedicated fans and potentially causing a sudden spike in viewers, which can present technical challenges.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 18 Nov. 2024
The lack of regulation may help explain why the state has the nation’s lowest autopsy rate in child deaths attributed to unnatural or unknown causes — a category that includes suicides, homicides, crashes, drownings, overdoses and sudden infant deaths.
—Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sudden
Articles Related to sudden
Video
'All over sudden' vs. 'All of a sudden'
Figuring it out at once
Dictionary Entries Near sudden
Cite this Entry
“Sudden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sudden. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
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