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interrupted
/ˌɪn.təˈrʌp.tɪd/
stopped temporarily
The meeting was interrupted by an urgent phone call.
The meeting was temporarily stopped because of an urgent phone call.
general
Temporarily stopped or paused, often by an external event or action.
Her speech was interrupted by loud applause.
Her speech was briefly stopped because people were clapping loudly.
The power outage interrupted the live broadcast.
The loss of electricity temporarily stopped the live TV show.
Used for actions, processes, or events that are halted but expected to resume later.
psychologyproductivity
Having one's concentration or flow of thought disrupted.
He found it hard to work with constant interruptions from colleagues.
He struggled to focus on his tasks because coworkers kept disturbing him.
Common in discussions about focus, productivity, or workflow.
Collocations
interrupted bystopped due toconstant interruptionsfrequent disturbancesbriefly interruptedtemporarily stopped
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'interrupted'
In formal writing, consider alternatives like 'halted,' 'paused,' or 'disrupted' depending on the context. 'Interrupted' can sound repetitive if used frequently in a single paragraph.
Gold Rule
Use 'interrupted' for temporary stops
Reserve 'interrupted' for situations where the action or process is expected to resume. For permanent stops, use 'halted' or 'ended.'
Word Origin
From Latin *interruptus*, past participle of *interrumpere* (to break apart), from *inter-* (between) + *rumpere* (to break). Entered English in the 15th century with the sense of breaking off a process or action.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in both literal (e.g., power cuts) and figurative (e.g., workflow disruptions) contexts. The verb form *interrupt* is more dynamic, while *interrupted* often describes a state or result.
Word Breakdown
inter-
between or among
prefix-rupt-
break
root-ed
past participle suffix
suffixEnglish Dictionary