IN THE LURCH Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

in the lurch

adjective

Definition of in the lurch

as in susceptible

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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

Although generally hardy, the plant is susceptible to certain diseases, including anthracnose and bacterial soft rot, as well as pests such as spider mites, caterpillars, and whiteflies.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
But neither the agency nor industry players have banned bets that could be susceptible to manipulation or raised the minimum age to bet on prediction markets to 21, the source said, up from the current minimum of 18.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of susceptible

Adjective

However, the fibers cannot simply be dropped into the ocean unprotected.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
However, during the same season, more than a third of the state’s children went unprotected, and many older Marylanders eligible for the RSV vaccine never received it.

— Adejare Atanda, Baltimore Sun, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of unprotected

Adjective

The network of large bases that Washington built after the 1991 Gulf War is now vulnerable to Iranian drones and ballistic missiles, offering Tehran targets and leverage rather than deterring it from taking military action.

— Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2026
Inflation risks mount India is among the countries most vulnerable to the supply disruptions caused by the Iran war.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of vulnerable

Adjective

If a guy who was seven for 66 in the last two postseasons and was so helpless last year that he was benched for the last three games of the World Series … if that guy can drive in the winning run from the bottom of the order?

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
The law distinguishes that from being physically helpless or incapacitated by drugs administered without consent.

— Hallie Golden, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of helpless

Adjective

Numan said the Iraqi military would not leave the Kurdistan region undefended.

— Jane Arraf, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
The United States and Canada, historic allies along an undefended border, fell deeper into a trade war Saturday marked by angry recriminations and new tariffs that are expected to raise prices for products in both countries.

— PAUL WISEMAN, Arkansas Online, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of undefended

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in the know

in the lurch

in the nude

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Style

“In the lurch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/in%20the%20lurch. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of in the lurch

adjective

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