IN THE LURCH Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

in the lurch

adjective

Definition of in the lurch

as in susceptible

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Recent Examples of in the lurch Newsom and other opponents, like the California Teachers Association, said the measure is shortsighted and left public schools, childcare providers and others in the lurch by focusing almost solely on healthcare. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026 That avoids leaving team members in the lurch while the person is out, Ackerman said. — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 8 June 2026 Rather than leave existing clients in the lurch, Lee allowed IDW to essentially inherit those accounts, allowing the fledgling business to become profitable within its first year of operation. — Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 The chaos left students across the county — many of whom were in the midst of finals — in the lurch, wondering if their assignments could be turned in or would be postponed. — Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026 And Lake Station Community Schools Superintendent Tom Cripliver said the School Board is looking for alternatives so families aren’t left in the lurch when the new school year begins. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026 Just as Musk left Oracle in the lurch, a LinkedIn message from OpenAI infrastructure chief Peter Hoeschele arrived in the inbox of a sales leader at Oracle, Bloomberg reported. — Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 29 Apr. 2026 When pressed about the path forward with TSA agents and other workers left in the lurch, Murphy said Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress, are the ones who have rejected their proposals to provide immediate funding for the Transportation Security Administration. — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026 Scant negotiations progress Last week, Congress failed to advance a DHS funding bill for the fifth time, leaving TSA, FEMA and other agencies in the lurch. — Luke Garrett, NPR, 22 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for in the lurch

Adjective

Creamer of the Fresh Fruit Association said the state food and agriculture department’s lagging pest and disease prevention funding makes the state more susceptible to the kinds of incidents that happened recently.

— Lizzie Kane July 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Infections, other immune-system stressors and, more rarely, brain injuries may also contribute in genetically susceptible individuals.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Definition of susceptible

Adjective

Last month, the Clippers agreed in principle to trade Leonard to the Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 July 2026
The Clippers and Raptors agreed to a trade on June 30 that would send Leonard to Toronto in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round draft picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap and two second-round picks.

— Janis Carr, Oc Register, 9 July 2026

Definition of unprotected

Adjective

His opposition to the measure in California could still leave him vulnerable to criticism from progressives in a national Democratic primary.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
However, that is changing as the US Department of Defense seeks more robust, less vulnerable power systems for military satellites that are less hazardous than the older spacecraft powered by uranium and plutonium.

— David Szondy July 07, New Atlas, 8 July 2026

Definition of vulnerable

Adjective

Bernstein plays with that distance like a telephone cord wrapped around her fingers, and Eleni — played by the excellent newcomer Cemre Paksoy, powerfully helpless — only frays even more as the receiver is brought near the hook.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 9 July 2026
The leading interpretation is that Smilodon delivered a single precise bite to the throat or belly, severing something vital in a target that was already helpless.

— Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of helpless

Adjective

Back then, America feared an armada of Soviet bombers laden with A-bombs barreling over the horizon, dodging our few anti-aircraft batteries, and dropping their deadly payloads on undefended American cities.

— Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2026
The lack of range of Coastal Command aircraft left an undefended area known as the Mid-Atlantic Gap, rendering merchant shipping and their escorts without air cover and vulnerable to attack.

— Mark Wood, TheWeek, 7 Jan. 2026

Definition of undefended

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in the know

in the lurch

in the nude

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“In the lurch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/in%20the%20lurch. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of in the lurch

adjective

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