1
as in sways
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 staggers
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 lurches
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
2 June 2026
By the end, Noonan’s film stops feeling like a first date and starts to resemble the makings of a crime scene as his mood lurches toward something dangerous.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
Republicans’ hopes of holding on to their slim majorities in the House and Senate may well hinge on the cost at the pump as the war against Iran lurches into its second week.
—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
10 Mar. 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
After a moment of hesitation, Harington lurches forward and plants a passionate kiss on Turner, who responds in kind.
—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
When, at my photographer’s request, the president approaches the window of his office to open the blinds, his bodyguard lurches forward to close them.
—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Sometimes an unexpected event lurches family members into becoming caregivers.
—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
Three seconds later, the Honda crashes into a parked car with such force its tires fly off the street, the pile of cars lurches forward several feet and snow billows.
—
Claire Galofaro,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
The film unhurriedly lurches from one markedly similar fight scene to the next, with only Skeletor’s occasional injections of ripe innuendo to liven them up a bit.
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
2 June 2026
By the end, Noonan’s film stops feeling like a first date and starts to resemble the makings of a crime scene as his mood lurches toward something dangerous.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
Republicans’ hopes of holding on to their slim majorities in the House and Senate may well hinge on the cost at the pump as the war against Iran lurches into its second week.
—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
10 Mar. 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
After a moment of hesitation, Harington lurches forward and plants a passionate kiss on Turner, who responds in kind.
—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
When, at my photographer’s request, the president approaches the window of his office to open the blinds, his bodyguard lurches forward to close them.
—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Sometimes an unexpected event lurches family members into becoming caregivers.
—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
Three seconds later, the Honda crashes into a parked car with such force its tires fly off the street, the pile of cars lurches forward several feet and snow billows.
—
Claire Galofaro,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurches
Verb
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Republican political consultants are skeptical that Paxton’s place on the ballot sways the needle for Democrats.
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Now the castle is in ruins (though with explanatory signage), with hiking paths, a museum, and a 1,200-foot pedestrian suspension bridge that sways 300 feet above the valley floor.
Verb
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Steely and deliberate songwriting that casually staggers down the line between rhythm and melody, laced with loose yet conscious jams.
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Like many Florida school districts, OCPS staggers start times to most efficiently use its school buses and drivers.
Noun
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Oh, and a few minutes later, Beulah suffers what looks to be a heart attack or stroke and collapses.
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Because these kinds of collapses often happen with little or no warning, any orangutans had very little time to escape.
Verb
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Jenna Ortega rocks a new hairdo in the trailer for Klara and the Sun.
-
Rashida Jones rocks a preppy look outside NBC Studio on June 16 in New York City.
Noun
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The two subsequent washouts have given Sri Lanka a 1-0 series victory.
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There will be several chances for rain across Maryland Wednesday through early next week, but none of the days are looking like washouts.
Verb
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And the employee shakes their head and the manager feels really positive.
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And Philip told me that someone shakes his hand.
Noun
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The second day and regatta concluded for me with one of the daily prize ceremonies that award the winners of each day of sailing, and where the boat shoes come off and the flip flops come on.
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As for the review process, the NBA could limit reviews to shooting fouls resulting in free throws, potential sixth fouls, last two minutes of games, and allow coach's challenges for flops.
Noun
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The first round of group-play matches have also been exciting, likely juicing demand, with one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history and stellar performances by football’s biggest stars, including Lionel Messi’s hat trick of goals for Argentina.
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What followed in Seoul on May 31, 2002 was one of the great World Cup upsets, the reigning champions beaten by Papa Bouba Diop’s goal.
Cite this Entry
“Lurches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurches. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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