IN THE LURCH Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

in the lurch

adjective

Definition of in the lurch

as in susceptible

Related Words

Relevance

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 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

Up to 9 out of 10 people who are susceptible will get the virus if exposed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
The most susceptible areas will be Long Beach and the Avalon Harbor on Tuesday and Wednesday and then Malibu through Ventura County from Wednesday through Friday.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of susceptible

Adjective

Rising premiums and outdated federal flood maps leave many people unprotected, while the program struggles to balance affordability, accurate risk pricing and taxpayer costs.

— Michael Phillis, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Once inside the animal, unprotected trace minerals can interact with compounds such as phytate, reducing the amount available for absorption.

— Aidan Connolly, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of unprotected

Adjective

An alignment takes place, as the legacy media consistently allows Rowling, as one of their own, to get away with removing trans women from their verifiable position as a vulnerable demographic.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
The evening brought plenty of laughs, but also a recognition that the progress CAPE and the broader AAPI entertainment community have made remains vulnerable amid an industry facing contraction, layoffs, and shrinking opportunities.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of vulnerable

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

Browse Nearby Words

in the know

in the lurch

in the nude

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“In the lurch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/in%20the%20lurch. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of in the lurch

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

etiquette

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes