in the lurch

Definition of in the lurchnext

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 in the lurch Newsom and other opponents, like the California Teachers Association, said the measure is shortsighted and left public schools, childcare providers and others in the lurch by focusing almost solely on healthcare. Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026 That avoids leaving team members in the lurch while the person is out, Ackerman said. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 8 June 2026 Rather than leave existing clients in the lurch, Lee allowed IDW to essentially inherit those accounts, allowing the fledgling business to become profitable within its first year of operation. Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 The chaos left students across the county — many of whom were in the midst of finals — in the lurch, wondering if their assignments could be turned in or would be postponed. Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026 And Lake Station Community Schools Superintendent Tom Cripliver said the School Board is looking for alternatives so families aren’t left in the lurch when the new school year begins. Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026 Just as Musk left Oracle in the lurch, a LinkedIn message from OpenAI infrastructure chief Peter Hoeschele arrived in the inbox of a sales leader at Oracle, Bloomberg reported. Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 29 Apr. 2026 When pressed about the path forward with TSA agents and other workers left in the lurch, Murphy said Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress, are the ones who have rejected their proposals to provide immediate funding for the Transportation Security Administration. Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026 Scant negotiations progress Last week, Congress failed to advance a DHS funding bill for the fifth time, leaving TSA, FEMA and other agencies in the lurch. Luke Garrett, NPR, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for in the lurch
Adjective
  • According to Martin Velasquez, a Yuma Proving Ground team lead, earlier CROWS variants were too large for the platform, did not meet transport requirements, and were susceptible to damage during sustained firing.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 28 June 2026
  • Since the 1970s, engineers have known that concrete buildings are particularly susceptible to earthquakes and seek to reinforce new construction with steel.
    ABC News, ABC News, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • If your cat or dog is outdoors and unprotected, fleas hitch a ride and come indoors with them.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 23 June 2026
  • The Celtics’ final offer to the Bucks included 29-year-old five-time NBA All-Star Jaylen Brown and two unprotected first-round picks, according to Charania.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • Key industries like agriculture, outdoor recreation, and the power grid are structurally vulnerable to water scarcity and extreme weather, exacerbated by climate change.
    Kelly Fleming, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • The gang members and associates allegedly focused on recruiting vulnerable minor girls and young women, many of whom came from broken homes or had fallen through the foster care system, Essayli said Wednesday.
    Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • But when his son Naseer was born in May 2025, Ajas Ahmed had never felt so helpless.
    Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 21 June 2026
  • Over the course of a 60-yard run, Maradona danced past opponents, escaped challenges and left English defenders helpless before beating the goalkeeper with a clinical finish.
    Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • Back then, America feared an armada of Soviet bombers laden with A-bombs barreling over the horizon, dodging our few anti-aircraft batteries, and dropping their deadly payloads on undefended American cities.
    Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2026
  • The lack of range of Coastal Command aircraft left an undefended area known as the Mid-Atlantic Gap, rendering merchant shipping and their escorts without air cover and vulnerable to attack.
    Mark Wood, TheWeek, 7 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In the lurch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/in%20the%20lurch. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster