断つ・絶つ|たつtatsu[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. godan verb, transitive verbto sever; to cut off
2. godan verb, transitive verbto suppress; to eradicate; to exterminate
3. godan verb, transitive verbto abstain (from); to give up

• Synonym断ち切るたちきるNeutralCan cut cloth or paper, and figuratively sever ties or cut off an attachment (「未練を断ち切る」); more emphatic than 「断つ」 about making a complete break.
• Synonym遮断しゃだんWrittenWritten, formal noun for blocking the flow of electricity, traffic or communications (「電流を遮断する」); it targets concrete flows, while 「断つ」 is mostly for ties and habits.
• Synonym止めるとめるNeutralKeeps something in place or within limits (「記憶に留める」「最小限に留める」); about holding or stopping, not cutting off.
• RelatedやめるNeutralKeeps something in place or within limits (「記憶に留める」「最小限に留める」); about holding or stopping, not cutting off.
• Related打ち切るうちきるNeutralCuts short something ongoing (「交渉を打ち切る」「連載打ち切り」); the point is that it will not continue — typical objects are negotiations, surveys, serializations.
• Related中止ちゅうしNeutralNoun for calling off a plan or event (「試合中止」); the most general term, focused on it no longer going ahead, while 「断つ」 centers on severing ties and quitting habits.
• Related切るきるNeutralCuts with a blade, and also severs connections or switches things off (「紙を切る」「電話を切る」); the most general word, covering both concrete and abstract uses.
• Related遮るさえぎるNeutralBlocks light or a view by standing in the way, or interrupts speech (「光を遮る」「話を遮る」); about obstructing, without actually cutting anything off.
• Related停止ていしNeutralNoun for machines, operations or business coming to a stop (「営業停止」「機能停止」); mostly for equipment and services, and can also mean a temporary ban.
• Related中絶ちゅうぜつNeutralNoun for a mid-course break, but now mostly means abortion (「妊娠中絶」); for 'interruption' use 「中断」 instead — handle this one with care.
• Related中断ちゅうだんNeutralNoun for a temporary interruption (「会議を中断する」) that may later resume; 「断つ」 is a severance or quitting, with no idea of resuming.
• RelatedストップCasualLoanword for stop (「ストップをかける」); common in colloquial speech, with a direct tone; does not mean severing ties or quitting a habit.
• RelatedよすCasualDrops it, stops doing something (「冗談はよせ」); colloquial, often in commands or telling someone not to do something; not for severing ties or cutting supply.
• Related解消かいしょうNeutralNoun for dissolving relationships, contracts or problems (「ストレス解消」「契約解消」); about making them disappear — a businesslike term.
• Related終えるおえるNeutralBrings something to an end (「仕事を終える」), whether by finishing it or ending it early; lacks 「断つ」's sense of cutting off or severing ties.
• Related切り上げるきりあげるNeutralWraps up at a convenient point or ends early (「早めに切り上げる」); also rounding up numbers or revaluing currency; never about severing ties.
• Related封鎖ふうさNeutralNoun for sealing off passage or freezing funds (「道路封鎖」); focused on blocking access, while 「断つ」 broadly covers cutting supply or retreat.
• Related途切らせるとぎらせるNeutralLets something in progress break off midway (「会話を途切らせる」); a momentary interruption, without 「断つ」's sense of severing or giving up; not often used.
• Related途切らすとぎらすNeutralClose to 「途切らせる」: makes an ongoing thing break off midway (「話を途切らす」); uncommon, and does not imply a complete severance.
• Related取りやめるとりやめるNeutralCancels a scheduled event or plan (「旅行を取りやめる」); the point is that it will no longer go ahead — nothing about severing ties or quitting a habit.
• AntonymつなぐNeutralConnects and keeps things together (「手をつなぐ」「命をつなぐ」); the opposite of 「断つ」 in linking versus cutting apart.
• Antonym続けるつづけるNeutralKeeps something going (「努力を続ける」); the opposite of 「断つ」 in interrupting or quitting — quitting drinking versus going on drinking.
• Antonym維持するNeutralMaintains a relationship or state (「関係を維持する」); rather formal, and the opposite of 「断つ」 when it comes to severing ties.

Use 「断つ」 for severing ties, quitting a habit, or cutting off supply — 「酒を断つ」「退路を断つ」. For ordinary cutting, 「切る」 is the general word; for a decisive, complete break, 「断ち切る」; for blocking the flow of electricity or traffic, 「遮断」. Most of the others describe stopping, pausing or blocking rather than severing. The opposite of 「断つ」 is 「続ける」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 切断せつだんする。
2. さえぎる。
3. 習慣しゅうかんなどをやめる。
4. 打ち切うちきる。
5. 終おわらせる。
6. なくす。