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
Relevance
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
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 lurched
Instead of taking a low profile and playing down any claims to Taiwan’s independent status like his more cautious DPP predecessor Tsai Ying-wen, Lai has lurched toward formal independence with a succession of speeches making the case for Taiwanese nationhood.
—
Lyle Goldstein, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Hollywood lurched into a fresh wave of existential panic this week after Deadline, notating an otherwise dry industry panel on Saturday, September 27, seized on a stray remark.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2025
The escalator lurched to a halt just after the pair got on.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
On Halloween of 2022, just weeks into the new school year, senior Ehni Ler Htoo was making his way through the halls of Proctor High School in Utica, New York, when a fellow student lurched at him from behind, repeatedly plunging a 9-inch hunting knife into his back.
—Tonya Simpson, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025
Roth approached the man — later identified as 29-year-old Gustavo Rojas — and his heart lurched.
—April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Kirk lurched back and to the left.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Stripped of a reliable majority, Macron's governments have lurched from one showdown to the next.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
As bystanders watched, the luxury yacht lurched to one side, tilting dangerously before taking on water.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Lyle Goldstein, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Hollywood lurched into a fresh wave of existential panic this week after Deadline, notating an otherwise dry industry panel on Saturday, September 27, seized on a stray remark.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2025
The escalator lurched to a halt just after the pair got on.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
On Halloween of 2022, just weeks into the new school year, senior Ehni Ler Htoo was making his way through the halls of Proctor High School in Utica, New York, when a fellow student lurched at him from behind, repeatedly plunging a 9-inch hunting knife into his back.
—Tonya Simpson, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025
Roth approached the man — later identified as 29-year-old Gustavo Rojas — and his heart lurched.
—April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Kirk lurched back and to the left.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Stripped of a reliable majority, Macron's governments have lurched from one showdown to the next.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
As bystanders watched, the luxury yacht lurched to one side, tilting dangerously before taking on water.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurched
Verb
-
Everyone danced and swayed, lazy smiles on their faces.—
David Amsden,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
-
After getting out of the car, Rias almost fell two times, failed to walk in a straight line and swayed with each step, the complaint said.—
Alec Johnson,
jsonline.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Board members will serve for four years, but the inaugural board will include some two-year appointments so terms are staggered.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Its board of directors has six seats, with elections staggered so that half of the board turns over at a time.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The shooting rocked the community and drew national attention to the question of how such a young child could commit such an act of violence.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts rocked the NFL world on Tuesday when the teams worked out a massive trade deal just hours before the NFL's trade deadline.—
Anne Erickson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
And Tagovailoa shook off that early interception with a 9-yard scoring pass to Malik Washington — capping a ferocious seven-minute, 92-yard drive — and then a 38-yard TD strike to Jaylen Waddle.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Miller finished with 129 yards on 18 carries, while Jayden Maiava shook off a poor day throwing the ball with 62 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Allen, who is 6 foot 5 and 237 pounds, jerked his head back in an effort to draw a roughing penalty on Bolton.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Travis jerked open the door and slid on his butt down a wing that was on fire.—
Gillian Telling,
PEOPLE,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lurched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurched. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share