1
as in to sway
to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions
the room lurched with every jolt of the earthquake
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to stagger
to move forward while swaying from side to side
dressed in his zombie costume, the boy lurched down the street in his quest for Halloween candy
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in washout
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lurch
Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026
The entire tech industry lurched into motion.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Michael Weissenstein, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2025
Because some of these workers have been arrested, detained or fled the country in fear this year, some families are in a lurch.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lurch
Verb
Sometimes an unexpected event lurches family members into becoming caregivers.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026
The entire tech industry lurched into motion.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
The downward lurch in the media business has changed American democracy over the last two decades — some think for better, many for worse.
—Michael Weissenstein, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2025
Because some of these workers have been arrested, detained or fled the country in fear this year, some families are in a lurch.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lurch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurch
Verb
-
Across from the San Francisco Giants’ home base of Oracle Park, the audience swayed to British singer-songwriter Oliva Dean’s R&B-infused serenades at The One Party by Uber at Pier 48.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
And that needn’t come from ownership, unless there were financial considerations that swayed the decisions.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ware has since moved to a bench role and Spoelstra has staggered the minutes of Adebayo and Ware for 16 straight games.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The trio fled; Cordell staggered to his feet, blood gushing from his face.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There is no major washout or concern for burn scar areas.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
This comes amid a debate on the right over what themes to stress to avoid a GOP washout in November.—
The Wall Street Journal,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Despite the callouts during the walkabout, King Charles did not appear to respond, continuing down the line of people and shaking hands, the outlet said.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Last month, the largest protests to shake Iran in more than four decades led to a brutal crackdown.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
His exit was immediate; he has been replaced by the mayor pro tem, just as Sawyer replaced Nail before the collapse of the police force, and the council will decide whether to hold a special election later this month.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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Three years before the balcony collapse that severely injured 10 people, the condo's property manager hired engineers and contractors.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Recent grocery store closures have rocked the north side of Milwaukee, where growing food deserts – areas where quality food is difficult to find – have left entire neighborhoods without ready access to food.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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As salt crusts form on the elevated end, the shifting weight causes the device to rock like a seesaw, submerging the buildup so the ocean can naturally wash it away.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And if his squad’s current mini-break produces a similar result — Missouri entered the holiday break with an ugly Braggin’ Rights loss to Illinois but came out of it with an upset of Florida — Gates would no doubt be pleased.—
Ally Schiepp,
Kansas City Star,
6 Feb. 2026
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His position on immigration was viewed a factor in the 2018 sheriff’s race, which saw McDonnell lose in an upset to Alex Villanueva.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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State leadership failures are too many to include here, among them mismanagement of Maryland’s energy resources, a high-profile fiasco that has created massive financial pain for its citizens.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Feb. 2026
-
There was the Epstein files fiasco.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lurch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurch. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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