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
Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Feb. 2025
As the diplomacy lurches forward uncertainly, the battlefield situation in Ukraine continues to deteriorate.
—Jack Watling, Foreign Affairs, 24 Mar. 2025
Jonathan Horwitz, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
That split-second stomach lurch its fictional deathtraps induce is a reflection of our own greatest fears.
—Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lurch
Verb
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
As the diplomacy lurches forward uncertainly, the battlefield situation in Ukraine continues to deteriorate.
—Jack Watling, Foreign Affairs, 24 Mar. 2025
Noun
Thereafter, plans for the cemetery lurched back to the Great Park but never successfully held on to momentum.
—Jonathan Horwitz, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
That split-second stomach lurch its fictional deathtraps induce is a reflection of our own greatest fears.
—Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 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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Elena Guseva’s soprano staggers in its power and control, retaining its hue even at lofty peaks.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2025
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Mayors are elected by council members who have staggered four-year terms and are elected by citizens.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
19 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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The tragedy shook the small Ohio town — and stunned viewers who remembered the Stockdale family's 2008 appearance on ABC's Wife Swap.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
21 June 2025
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And beside them, Milford, Weymouth and St. John’s of Shrewsbury also shook off their sub-20 seeding to advance at least once in an all-time showing of parity.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
21 June 2025
Noun
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The new legislation was passed in the aftermath of the deadly collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside in June 2021 which killed 98 people.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
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Despite official reassurances, the currency markets are painting a different picture — one of accelerating collapse.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
20 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
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Officials will be checking to make sure drivers who enter the property have tickets for the event, hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s fiasco at the Copa America final, where unticketed fans were able to rush into the stadium, overwhelming officers.—
Vivienne Serret,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
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Trump’s opponents are already depicting this fiasco as emblematic of an administration that loves to shoot itself in the foot, then put the bloody foot in its mouth.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lurch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurch. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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