interrupt

[in-tuh-ruhpt, in-tuh-ruhpt] / ˌɪn təˈrʌpt, ˈɪn təˌrʌpt /

VERB

bother, interfere

Synonyms

STRONGEST

break break off cut off cut short delay discontinue disturb halt heckle hinder hold up impede prevent punctuate stop suspend

STRONG

arrest check crash cut defer disconnect disjoin disunite divide in infringe inject insinuate intrude obstruct separate sever shortstop stay

WEAK

barge in break in break train of thought bust in butt in chime in come between crowd in cut in on edge in get in the way horn in lay aside put in work in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance aid allow assist begin carry on cause continue encourage facilitate forward further give go help join mend permit promote push start support

STRONG

attach combine connect couple expedite leave leave alone link unite

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Napoleon reportedly said: “Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Gulls managed to interrupt the BBC's interview with the Bank of England's chief cashier, Victoria Cleland, whose signature appears on its banknotes.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

Many of them display puzzling fluctuations in brightness, brief increases in light that interrupt the expected smooth curve and hint that complex processes are unfolding within the expanding debris.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2026

As a police truck approached and threatened to interrupt the clean-up effort, Maria stood in the street and blocked the way, hands on her hips in a pose of defiance.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

“I don’t mean to interrupt, but we need to find that Mr. Flux guy, right?”

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles

Vocabulary lists containing interrupt

Make a Break for It: Rupt

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"Raymond's Run"

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Lesson 1

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