LURCHES Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

lurches 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of lurch

as in sways

to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions the room lurched with every jolt of the earthquake

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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

lurches

2 of 2

noun

plural of lurch

as in collapses

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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 lurches

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

One big question now, Thomas says, is whether a tie-up with a paragon of fast-fashion alienates Everlane's current clientele — or sways Shein shoppers to trade up.

— Alina Selyukh, NPR, 22 May 2026
Biff shouts at him at the show’s excruciating climax) sways between light and dark, between the road and the deadly shoulder, advancing through his last hours on earth as if through the stations of the cross.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026