🪨 Formed underground 📈 Sudden increase

irruptive

9.5

Showing a sudden large increase in numbers, often of plants or animals

adjective
/ɪˈrʌptɪv/

: repentino

Scientists studied the irruptive migration of birds into the northern regions this year.

Examples

The forest saw an irruptive growth of insects after the warm, wet spring.
The irruptive behavior of the species surprised researchers.
An irruptive outbreak of algae affected the lake's ecosystem within a few weeks.
We observed an irruptive increase in the bird population this year.
In an irruptive season, the number of deer in the area significantly increased as food became available.
The irruptive behavior of certain insect populations can lead to sudden crop infestations.
Scientists observed an irruptive movement of penguins as they searched for new sources of food.

Synonyms

sudden

vsirruptive

614 1.0

Happening quickly and without warning

focuses on a fast increase or rapid appearance in population or numbers

abrupt

vsirruptive

37 4.6

Happening suddenly without warning

is specifically about a rapid rise or sudden appearance in numbers

Antonyms

stable

473 2.3

Not likely to change and stays steady over time

steady

304 2.0

Not changing over time and remaining the same

How Rapid

explosive

233 4.6

irruptive

9.5

sudden

614 1.0

moderate

415 3.3

gradual

75 3.0

Surface Forms

irruptive positive

Morphology

irruptive = irruption (transparent) = irrupt + ive

The adjective is a straightforward adjectival formation from the noun 'irruption' (or the verb 'irrupt'), meaning 'characterized by sudden irruptions', which is predictable from the base.

Etymology

Irruptive comes from Latin parts in- meaning 'into' and rumpere meaning 'to break', the same idea you see in erupt and rupture. A helpful way to remember the modern sense is to think of something 'breaking in' or bursting suddenly, so irruptive describes a rapid or sudden increase in numbers or appearance.