Synonyms for interrupt
Definitions
- v. 1
To disturb or halt (an ongoing process or action, or the person performing it) by interfering suddenly, especially by speaking.
A maverick politician repeatedly interrupted the debate by shouting.
Related words
- Word family
- interruption
Forms
- Past participle
- interrupted
e.g. interrupted → disturbed, breaked, disrupted, stopped…
Choose the right word
Intercept is applied to an object that may be seized or stopped while in transit; as, to intercept a letter or a messenger; interrupt is applied to an action which might or should be continuous, but is broken in upon (L.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- delay He's desperately trying to make up for the delay.
- disrupt What could disrupt Algeria's recovery process?
- obstruct Pass on, please, and do not obstruct the way.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| interrupt | steady | |
| delay | steady | |
| disrupt | rising | |
| obstruct | falling | |
| disjoin | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- stop1
- 5 letters
- check1, break1, delay2
- 6 letters
- arrest2, hinder2, retard2, impede2
- 7 letters
- prevent2, suspend2, disturb2, disrupt2, inhibit3, disjoin
- 8 letters
- restrain2, obstruct2
- 9 letters
- intervene3, intercept3, interject3, interpose3
- 10 letters
- disarrange
- 11 letters
- discontinue4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (delay2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- interrompre
- Español
- interrumpir
- Deutsch
- unterbrechen