lurches 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of lurch
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

lurches

2 of 2

noun

plural of lurch
as in collapses

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 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
  1. sways
  2. staggers
  3. collapses
  4. rocks
  5. washouts
  6. shakes
  7. flops
  8. upsets
Verb
  • The main road home is closed, so players must detour through a wild valley full of hills, rivers and angry wildlife, while the janky physics turn every bump into potential disaster as the RV sways, tips and flips with ease.
    — Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2026
  • As the water sways and the flowers blow, 120 wooden crosses now line the Guadalupe River in Kerr County.
    — Marissa Armas, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Definition of sways
Verb
  • Steely and deliberate songwriting that casually staggers down the line between rhythm and melody, laced with loose yet conscious jams.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2026
  • Like many Florida school districts, OCPS staggers start times to most efficiently use its school buses and drivers.
    — Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of staggers
Noun
  • Many survivors have chosen to sleep outside to avoid the risk of further collapses, and some are seeking shelter in places like stadiums.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026
  • When a massive star collapses and explodes, neutrinos escape from its interior and can reach Earth before the burst of light becomes visible.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of collapses
Verb
  • The zigzag headband is ideal for a bad hair day or simply for effortlessly accessorizing an outfit, and Hailey Bieber effortlessly rocks it for everything from skin care routines and workouts to swimming.
    — Elise Fabre, Glamour, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Keanu Reeves rocks an all-black look at the premiere of Madwoman’s Game at the Chicano Hollywood Film Festival on July 30 in Pomona, California.
    — People Staff, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of rocks
Noun
  • But in a world where a few basis points separates legends from washouts, a 10-point edge is an enormous windfall for anyone who trusted Kalshi’s numbers over those crunched by CME, the giant futures-exchange operator.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The two subsequent washouts have given Sri Lanka a 1-0 series victory.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 June 2026
Definition of washouts
Verb
  • Mike Krukow shakes hands with Jackson Flora, the San Francisco Giants 1st pick of the 2026 MLB Draft, as Duane Kuiper observes at Oracle Park on July 29, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
    — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The team will want to have about $1 million for the deadline, but if an expensive player shakes loose in the next two months, Edmonton is in a good position to make a move.
    — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of shakes
Noun
  • Finish the look off with an elevated sandal like these minimalist flip flops from Dolce Vita or with feminine Mary Janes like Carel’s iconic Kina, and a statement bag like the Tommy from Staud.
    — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Acid hues aren't limited to athletic sneakers or flip flops any more—they're also now on the heels of elegant, tasteful women.
    — Renata Joffre, Glamour, 25 July 2026
Definition of flops
Noun
  • Advertisement His win comes just weeks after several Democratic socialist and progressive candidates scored major primary upsets against long-term establishment incumbents in safe-blue districts.
    — Nik Popli, Time, 5 Aug. 2026
  • El-Sayed's win is a boon for the left flank of the Democratic Party, which has recently scored upsets in New York and Colorado.
    — Justin Papp, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of upsets

Browse Nearby Words

lurched
lurches
lurching
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Cite this Entry

“Lurches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurches. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of lurches for Spanish Speakers

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