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
Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
But Wembanyama is on the short list of MVP favorites as the league lurches toward the playoffs, a list that includes former NBA champions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of OKC, Denver’s Nikola Jokic along with Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Los Angeles’ Luka Doncic.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
And yet, two-thirds into the song’s six-minute lurch, a beaming synth line appears like a biblical burst of light, a plea for sanctuary from perpetual chaos.
—Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lurch
Verb
According to prosecutors, when other drivers honked at him, Alvardo woke up and lurched his vehicle forward, striking 70-year-old crossing guard John Miro, who was on the sidewalk at Sunrise Highway and Merrick Avenue.
—Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
But Wembanyama is on the short list of MVP favorites as the league lurches toward the playoffs, a list that includes former NBA champions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of OKC, Denver’s Nikola Jokic along with Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Los Angeles’ Luka Doncic.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
The hope is that the institutional reforms started by the interim administration of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus deliver the necessary checks and balances to avert another lurch toward despotism.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
And yet, two-thirds into the song’s six-minute lurch, a beaming synth line appears like a biblical burst of light, a plea for sanctuary from perpetual chaos.
—Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lurch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurch
Verb
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The sudden reversal of fortunes comes as Jansa has been battling accusations of hiring an Israeli private intelligence company to sway the result following a series of video recordings reporting corruption among the prime minister's allies.—
Jan Bratanic Bloomberg,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
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The melodic closer had the huge crowd energized and swaying along, as the nearly 50-foot stage, fully adorned in LED lights, beamed hypnotic celestial imagery in neon blue.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Stack your left foot on top of your right, or stagger your feet so both are on the ground.—
Jenny McCoy,
Outside,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The two would stagger back into the house, sweaty, looking a mess and talking a mess, too.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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After 48 years of unsuccessful politicking, one might be tempted to call the idea of indexing capital gains a certified washout.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
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There are low chances for rain from Wednesday into the weekend but no day looks like a complete washout.—
Rachael Jay,
CBS News,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Another climb for oil prices shook stock markets on Friday, as hopes collapsed for a possible cut to interest rates this year by the Federal Reserve.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
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Heavy explosions shook Dubai early Friday as air defenses intercepted incoming fire over the city, where people were observing Eid al-Fitr, the end of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, and mosques made the day's first call to prayers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Even before Israel’s killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, nudged Hezbollah into action, the ceasefire appeared to be on the brink of collapse.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
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Dangerous flooding is impacting Hawaii's Oahu island, prompting evacuations and a warning from local officials of a possible dam collapse, as major rains pummel the area for the second significant rain event in a week.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Keeping forearms grounded, press through your toes and shift your weight forward so that your whole body rocks forward several inches.—
Jenny McCoy,
Outside,
23 Mar. 2026
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The race is expected to be tight and follows a campaign rocked by allegations of foreign interference that stunned the traditionally moderate EU country.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There are no real cakewalks in March and – as Thursday proved – upsets are always on the cards.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
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While High Point’s thrilling win over Wisconsin was the upset of the day to that point in the first round, VCU’s took the prize after one day of action in March Madness.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Saturday’s fiasco also gained traction on the social media platform Reddit.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
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Others point to a budget fiasco roughly a decade ago in Kansas in which legislators enacted a series of tax cuts that were ultimately rolled back.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lurch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurch. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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