Synonyms of lurched

lurched

verb

past tense of lurch

1

as in swayed

to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions

the room lurched with every jolt of the earthquake

Synonyms & Similar Words

• swayed
• rocked
• shook
• jerked
• wobbled
• careened
• tossed
• rolled
• halted
• vibrated
• faltered
• tumbled
• seesawed
• staggered
• tottered
• stumbled
• pitched
• weaved
• floundered
• waddled
• reeled
• jolted
• wavered
• hobbled
• vacillated
• blundered
• teetered
• bucked
• toddled
• hitched
• waggled
• oscillated
• doddered
• undulated
• wagged

2

as in staggered

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

• staggered
• weaved
• tottered
• shuffled
• stomped
• careened
• stumbled
• waddled
• reeled
• rolled
• teetered
• rocked
• swayed
• doddered
• wobbled
• wavered
• shambled
• floundered
• blundered
• seesawed
• barged
• pounded
• stamped
• tramped
• scuffled
• clumped
• lumbered
• lumped
• clomped
• scuffed
• swagged
• galumphed
• tromped

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lurched

The insurrection drew immediate and obvious parallels to the United States, which, during much of the past decade, has lurched alongside Brazil through a strange hall of mirrors. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026

And there was a frenzy as one man, grimacing and sweating, lurched along pulling a truck with a rope. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

The airplane lurched skyward, and Elwood was strapped in for the ride. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

His car lurched forward with Miller’s arm still reaching through the window, briefly dragging the cop down the street. — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026

There are vivid characters—the rich, distinguished crook Brandon, the platinum-blond secretary Miss Vermilyea; Javonen, ex-military intelligence, and seedy private eye from Kansas, Noble, who might have lurched out of an early Graham Greene story. — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026

Adams’ shoulders lurched on the bench, while Richards fell to his knees, dug his afro into the grass, and closed his eyes in pain. — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 7 July 2026

Initial data indicates both of these earthquakes were strike-slip, Magnani said, meaning one plate lurched past the other along the boundary. — Evan Bush, NBC news, 25 June 2026

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