interrupt
[verb]
Synonyms:
- intrude, barge in (informal), break in, butt in, disturb, heckle, interfere (with)
- suspend, break off, cut short, delay, discontinue, hold up, lay aside, stop

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Related Idioms: break in on (or upon)
Related Words: defer, intermit, postpone, suspend, cut in, put in

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English Thesaurus: interrupt, butt in, cut somebody off/cut somebody short, heckle, chip in, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

in‧ter‧rupt /ˌɪntəˈrʌpt/ verb
[Word Family: verb: interrupt; noun: interruption; adverb: uninterruptedly; adjective: uninterrupted]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: past participle of interrumpere, from rumpere 'to break']

1. [intransitive and transitive] to stop someone from continuing what they are saying or doing by suddenly speaking to them, making a noise etc:
Will you stop interrupting me!
Sorry to interrupt, but I need to ask you to come downstairs.

2. [transitive] to make a process or activity stop temporarily:
My studies were interrupted by the war.

3. [transitive] if something interrupts a line, surface, view etc, it stops it from being continuous
—interruption /-ˈrʌpʃən/ noun [uncountable and countable]:
We can talk here without interruption.
HINT:
► Do not use interruption to mean a short period when students or workers can stop working and relax. Use break: Between the two classes there is a 15-minute break.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

interrupt
verb
ADV. impatiently | rudely What was I saying, before we were so rudely interrupted?
harshly, sharply ‘Don't talk like that!’ he interrupted harshly.
brutally, cruelly, violently Their luncheon was brutally interrupted by gunfire.
abruptly, suddenly | temporarily | constantly, repeatedly The morning's work was constantly interrupted by phone calls.
occasionally, periodically
VERB + INTERRUPT be sorry to I'm sorry to interrupt, but there's a telephone call for you.
(not) dare (to) It was all irrelevant, but I didn't dare interrupt him in mid-flow.
PREP. with I thought it better not to interrupt her with any comment.
PHRASES get interrupted I didn't manage to finish the report. I kept getting interrupted.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

interrupt
verb
BAD: The noise of the traffic interrupts the local residents.
GOOD: The noise of the traffic disturbs the local residents.

Usage Note:
interrupt = to stop someone while they are speaking or doing something, especially by saying something yourself: 'I'm sorry to interrupt but there's an urgent phone call for you.'
disturb = make it difficult for someone to continue what they are doing: 'Will it disturb you if I listen to the radio?' 'I think we're disturbing Martin. Let's go and talk in your office.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

interrupt [intransitive and transitive] to stop someone from continuing speaking:
She interrupted him to ask exactly how he had broken his ankle.
Oliver began his story but was soon interrupted by the arrival of Mr Gosling.
I wish you wouldn’t interrupt all the time.
butt in [intransitive] to rudely start speaking when someone is already speaking:
Will you please stop butting in!
Steve kept butting in with silly comments.
cut somebody off/cut somebody short [intransitive] to prevent someone from finishing what they are saying:
He slammed down the phone and cut her off in mid-sentence.
Bob began to speak but Donna cut him short.
heckle [intransitive and transitive] to deliberately interrupt a speaker or performer by shouting, especially to show that you do not agree with what they are saying:
Comedians are used to dealing with members of the audience who heckle.
The speaker was heckled by a group of protesters.
chip in [intransitive] to interrupt a conversation or discussion by adding comments, especially helpful or useful ones:
Feel free to chip in if you have any comments to make.
disturb to interrupt someone when they are trying to work, sleep etc:
The sign on the door said ‘Do not disturb. Meeting in progress’.
I hope I’m not disturbing you. Do you want me to come back later?
Her sleep was disturbed by a violent hammering on the door.
bother to interrupt someone, especially by asking questions when they are trying to do something else:
‘I’m very sorry to bother you,’ Jackson said smoothly, ‘but I’d like a few minutes of your time.’
You mustn’t bother him - he’s working on his essay.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

interrupt [intransitive and transitive] to stop someone from continuing to do something:
Miss Danziger apologised for interrupting their enjoyment of their meal.
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell.
His interview was interrupted by a call from the President.
disturb to interrupt someone when they are trying to work, sleep etc:
The sign on the door said ‘Do not disturb. Meeting in progress’.
I hope I’m not disturbing you. Do you want me to come back later?
Her sleep was disturbed by a violent hammering on the door.
bother to interrupt someone, especially by asking questions when they are trying to do something else:
‘I’m very sorry to bother you,’ Jackson said smoothly, ‘but I’d like a few minutes of your time.’
You mustn’t bother him - he’s working on his essay.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲