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
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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
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Recent Examples of lurched
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
In the face of this onslaught, the alcohol industry’s efforts to make drinking popular again have lurched into paranoia.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
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
In the face of this onslaught, the alcohol industry’s efforts to make drinking popular again have lurched into paranoia.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurched
Verb
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As the two hugged, Erbert Hough flashed a strip of sonogram photos at the camera as the couple smiled and swayed in the sunlight.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
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Nearly 72% of censorship attempts in 2024 were initiated by pressure groups and decision makers who have been swayed by them.—
Jennifer Borresen,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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To avoid the logistical logjams that had been predicted, the rollout is being staggered.—
Julia Buckley,
CNN Money,
10 Oct. 2025
-
They are elected to four-year terms, with elections staggered every two years.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sofía Vergara and Joanna Gaines are just some of the A-listers who have rocked the trend recently.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Rodón rocked The Yankees needed Rodón to step up.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By Brendan Kuty, Jen McCaffrey and Chris Kirschner NEW YORK — The crowd roared, and then the building shook.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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Clark shook her head and said no to both questions.—
Jill Martin,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Travis jerked open the door and slid on his butt down a wing that was on fire.—
Gillian Telling,
PEOPLE,
20 Sep. 2025
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The president starts out by making a visit to Liberty Arena to play basketball with some school children, then gets jerked away when the crisis happens.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lurched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurched. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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