discontinuity

noun

(ˌ)dis-ˌkän-tə-ˈnü-ə-tē How to pronounce discontinuity (audio)
Definition of discontinuitynext
1
as in gap
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge) microscopic discontinuities in the connecting wires

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in interruption
a break in continuity a noticeable discontinuity in the flow of the story

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of discontinuity But it can also be read to argue that something well short of an extinction-level event can introduce real historical discontinuity. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026 Poor quality of care, care discontinuity and knowledge gaps are the most frequent factors in preventable maternal deaths. — Yenupini Joyce Adams, The Conversation, 27 May 2026 Seismologists identified 459 earthquakes since 1990 that occurred beneath the Mohorovičić discontinuity. — Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026 Advertisement Rather than a drastic discontinuity, Moltbook is best understood as the latest (and largest) in a line of experiments that tease out the limits of AI agents. — Tharin Pillay, Time, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discontinuity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discontinuity
  1. gap
  2. interruption
  3. hole
  4. interval
  5. hiatus
Noun
  • The wealth gap has political stakes, too That sense of waiting for an opportunity has electoral relevance.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • After recent decreases in 2026/27 prices, the gap has closed, but prices for 2027/28 NY/ICE contracts have been trading at a discount to 2026/27 prices.
    — SJ Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of gap
Noun
  • Shorter supply routes could help reduce exposure to transport interruptions and improve access to essential fuels during emergencies.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Those numbers assume the S&P 500 returns more than 10% a year without interruption for 55 years.
    — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of interruption
Noun
  • His unit had shown holes in the secondary, ranking 131st in the country in pass defense.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Joe Jackson ran for 159 yards and a touchdown, Avery Johnson threw for 203 yards and another score, and the Wildcats overcame a multitude of mistakes while rallying from an early 10-point hole to keep nearly two decades of dominance going.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of hole
Noun
  • At irregular intervals, 27 leap seconds have been added to global clocks since 1972 – the last in 2016.
    — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Doctors typically suggest about three weeks to recover without any flying, giving Leo just the interval needed before the trip.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of interval
Noun
  • Even after years of creative stagnation, a hiatus, and, tragically, the death of Takeoff, in 2022, Migos had already cemented themselves as cultural icons perennially synonymous with everything cool.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • In her own update on her Instagram Story, Laforteza described the work she’s been doing since going on hiatus.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of hiatus

Browse Nearby Words

discontinuities
discontinuity
discontinuous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Discontinuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discontinuity. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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