lurch 1 of 2

verb

ˈlərch How to pronounce lurch (audio)
Definition of lurchnext
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

lurch

2 of 2

noun

as in washout

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 lurch
Verb
The United States, which had been lurching toward entry in the Second World War, was suddenly and inescapably thrust into global conflict. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026 Republicans see Democrats lurching to the left and embracing socialism as an opening to link their opponents to the far more radical communism. — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
The beat, provided by live drums, lurches and lumbers, following the knotty runs of notes instead of setting up a pulse. — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 9 Apr. 2026 The lurch from declaring fears about Iran to be mere media exaggerations to invoking imminent threat, from demanding the Nobel Peace Prize to luxuriating in lethality, is the essence of the autocrat’s monopoly on unpredictability. — Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lurch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurch
  1. sway
  2. stagger
  3. washout
  4. shake
  5. collapse
  6. rock
  7. upset
  8. fiasco
Verb
  • Other sights included the Netherland’s Birdmen — massive, illuminated, beaked creatures — that roamed the streets of Charlotte while acrobats with an Australian company swayed on 15-foot poles to celebrate nature.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2026
  • With the challenges of supply chains and higher prices on retailers’ hands, shoppers are highly attuned to these considerations and can be swayed by retailers who demonstrate their ability to deliver on time and as promised.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of sway
Verb
  • Cue years of staggered, steadily worsening consequences, unboxed by Strippoli with gruesome relish.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Sep. 2026
  • As the deli’s surveillance video rolled, his client went from calmly standing at the counter with a bottle of Gatorade to staggering to the floor, clutching his leg and tearing at his pants.
    — Alison J. Stein, HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of stagger
Noun
  • Amy and Rosie are intensely appealing women, yet their lives with men have been a washout.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Officials said special attention will be given to gravel roads that could be susceptible to washouts and erosion.
    — Detroit Free Press, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of washout
Verb
  • As Gansey greeted them, shaking hands, taking photos and smiling endlessly, one stepped forward with a question that encapsulated everything.
    — Tony Jones, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • More than a year of demonstrations sometimes drawing hundreds of thousands of people shook Vucic more than ever during his 14 years in power.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of shake
Noun
  • Collapse adds to debate over Kennedy Center renovations The collapse comes as the Kennedy Center board's plan to temporarily close the facility for a two-year renovation remains tied up in federal court.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
  • In total, more than 5,000 people are missing in Nepal following last week’s catastrophic floods, which were triggered by a glacier collapse.
    — Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of collapse
Verb
  • Unfortunately, however, the warmth and love of the old pub-rocking 101’ers has been traded for a new aggression and belligerence.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2026
  • On the streets of New York, Zoey Deutch expertly pulled off a purple cardigan with red pants, while Dua Lipa rocked a head-to-toe Ferragamo ensemble at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, wearing a purple dress with red mules and an east-west bag.
    — Elise Fabre, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of rock
Noun
  • There were blowouts, upsets, quarterback debuts, coaching debuts and enough disorder for one week of college football to vandalize months of offseason consensus.
    — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Maybe the Panthers run back their upset against the Packers in Lambeau?
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of upset
Noun
  • The wedding invitation fiasco comes just days after Kelce opened up about his and Swift’s special day.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Though the reason for Marte’s initial absence remains unknown publicly — the Diamondbacks were so blindsided by it that he was scratched only minutes before Monday’s game — the team seemed eager to move on from the fiasco.
    — Marc Carig, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of fiasco

Browse Nearby Words

lunkheads
lurch
lurched
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Cite this Entry

“Lurch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurch. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lurch

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lurch

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