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
David Axe, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
This year’s edition, the festival’s 75th, takes place in the final two weeks of a federal election in Germany that is expected to see a lurch to the right, with the right-wing Alternative for Germany party doubling down on its anti-refugee rhetoric.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Feb. 2025
Elisa Manfredini, Time, 14 June 2025
In the final moments, Molly lurches forward into this brave new world, with nothing but the overalls on her back and her best friend who can barely start her car.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lurch
Verb
European leaders are aghast at America’s autocratic lurch.
—David Axe, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
This year’s edition, the festival’s 75th, takes place in the final two weeks of a federal election in Germany that is expected to see a lurch to the right, with the right-wing Alternative for Germany party doubling down on its anti-refugee rhetoric.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Feb. 2025
Noun
The world is lurching toward autocracy, with alarming speed.
—Elisa Manfredini, Time, 14 June 2025
In the final moments, Molly lurches forward into this brave new world, with nothing but the overalls on her back and her best friend who can barely start her car.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lurch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurch
Verb
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The White House’s fiscal policies will sway earnings too, as tax cuts, the end of certain tax credits, more spending on defense, and less spending on the social safety net ripple through corporate America and consumers.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
30 June 2025
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The whipsaw of global trade negotiations can quickly sway market sentiment and pose an ongoing threat to the strength of this rally.—
Amala Balakrishner,
CNBC,
29 June 2025
Verb
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Sheriff’s officials said a man was stabbed multiple times, and the wounded man staggered into a nearby church.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
28 June 2025
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According to The Guardian, more disturbing videos emerged, from Ford allegedly staggering around a room and ranting about killing someone to him calling the city police chief a derogatory name and attempting a Jamaican accent.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
22 June 2025
Noun
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This year could be a washout for the stock market due to lofty tariffs, but 2026 could mark a return to new highs, according to the Wells Fargo Investment Institute.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
11 June 2025
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Rain is set to continue in the Northeast on Thursday as New York City, Boston and Buffalo can expect a washout as the late-season nor'easter moves north along the coast.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
22 May 2025
Verb
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But the humble protein powerhouse has never seemed to be able to shake the bad reputation.—
Margaux Anbouba,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
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The earth begins to shake as the animals, each one a small tank of muscle, thunder along the route at speeds of up to 20 miles an hour, scattering runners.—
Tony Perrottet,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 June 2025
Noun
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But stablecoins faced a gut-wrenching test in 2022 with the collapse of TerraUSD (UST), a stablecoin designed to maintain its peg through complex incentives rather than being backed by US dollar reserves.—
Steven Dudash,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Very quickly, officials realized the collapse had exposed something historic: an ancient Greek tomb, the department said.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Two seagulls rode the air with outstretched wings, rocking side to side.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 June 2025
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As Tyler Durden, Pitt struts with a cigarette in his mouth, rocking his sunglasses and trademark jackets.—
Derek Scancarelli,
EW.com,
27 June 2025
Noun
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Ultimately, Mamdani’s victory is likely to go down as one of the most stunning upsets in recent history.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
25 June 2025
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That’s where normalcy stopped, as the first day of action brought us one of the biggest upsets in the history of the tour.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
Word of the fiasco (and all the gory details) soon hit the media.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
25 June 2025
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The fiscal fiasco was built on the hallucinatory claim that California enjoyed a $97.5 billion surplus.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lurch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurch. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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