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
Latin America has lurched rightward in recent elections, as governments scramble to curtail violence stemming from record cocaine production. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 21 June 2026 Rodney McDonald, who was traveling with his wife and two sons, told ABC News the ordeal began when the aircraft unexpectedly lurched. — Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 24 June 2026
Noun
The leftward lurch could cost Republicans control of Congress for the president’s final two years in office. — Steve Peoples, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026 Republicans’ hopes of holding on to their slim majorities in the House and Senate may well hinge on the cost at the pump as the war against Iran lurches into its second week. — Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Mar. 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
  • Matz said Bay Point’s gate and its proximity to the Design District and downtown Miami swayed the buyers of the home at 790 Lake Rd.
    — Catherine Odom July 8, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
  • Public support for Gantz, who had become the most favorable political figure among Israelis in the wake of October 7, declined rapidly for his failure to either sway Netanyahu’s decision-making or force early elections to replace him.
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026
Definition of sway
Verb
  • Arrivals were staggered with people having to wait for hours with nothing to do.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 July 2026
  • Airbnb, DoorDash, Reddit, and Snowflake all either shortened the 180 days or staggered them.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 3 July 2026
Definition of stagger
Noun
  • While the day will not be a washout, residents should keep an umbrella handy for afternoon and evening activities.
    — Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026
  • Overnight rainfall coupled with the arrival of storms Saturday means the region could see a washout.
    — Kendrick Calfee June 13, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
Definition of washout
Verb
  • The iconic bunny costume moment, when Elle is tricked into showing up to a non-costume party wearing a Playboy bunny get-up, was the catalyst for exploring how Elle was able to shake that humiliation off.
    — Scarlett Harris, IndieWire, 6 July 2026
  • This tournament has built credibility by showcasing teams competing at a high level, then shaking hands afterward.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of shake
Noun
  • Vibrations from earth-moving equipment could have triggered further collapses, possibly dooming Gil — and his would-be rescuers.
    — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Historians have devoted enormous attention to the collapse of the royal courts, the creation of state judiciaries, the drafting of new constitutions, and the construction of the legal institutions of the new republic.
    — Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of collapse
Verb
  • The following year, she was also seen rocking a cap branded with Swift from her 1989 era, as well as a pair of shorts repping The Life of a Showgirl.
    — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
  • The allegations against Platner are the latest in a string of accusations of malfeasance, which have rocked Democrats who are eager to defeat Collins.
    — Garrett Downs,Justin Papp, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Definition of rock
Noun
  • The upsets for oil markets raise uncertainties over inflation and other economic trends.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
  • When Mostafa Zico doubled Egypt’s lead after a sweeping move in the 67th minute, Egypt was on the brink of one of the great World Cup upsets.
    — David Hickey, NBC news, 8 July 2026
Definition of upset
Noun
  • Harry's decision comes amid an ongoing security fiasco concerning the safety of Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 5 July 2026
  • Add in a fiasco of a camp, where celebrities had access to the team’s hotel, and subpar performances in defeats against Uruguay, Russia and Saudi Arabia, and the hoodoo appeared stronger than ever.
    — Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 4 July 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 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lurch

Nglish: Translation of lurch for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lurch

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