1
as in to sway
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 to stagger
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
as in washout
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lurch
H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 13 Jan. 2026
Sometimes an unexpected event lurches family members into becoming caregivers.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026
Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
The downward lurch in the media business has changed American democracy over the last two decades — some think for better, many for worse.
—Michael Weissenstein, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lurch
Verb
Natanya complicates her old-school character sketch with cerebral shifts in perspective, affecting each of the voices that accompany a young woman’s drive for success and independence (demanding friends and parents, sexist expectations, her own willpower) in a lurching cascade of melodies.
—H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 13 Jan. 2026
Sometimes an unexpected event lurches family members into becoming caregivers.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
Slumping consumer sentiment, poor finances and years of shifting shopping habits have left some of these aging chains in a lurch.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
The downward lurch in the media business has changed American democracy over the last two decades — some think for better, many for worse.
—Michael Weissenstein, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lurch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurch
Verb
-
Visualization is a huge part of racing, particularly in the speed disciplines of downhill and super-G, and a lot of competitors close their eyes and run the course on a loop in their minds, dipping and swaying with every turn, roller and jump.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Picture the golden glow of Black-eyed Susans and the architectural elegance of native grasses swaying in the prairie breeze.—
Rosehill Gardens,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ware has since moved to a bench role and Spoelstra has staggered the minutes of Adebayo and Ware for 16 straight games.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
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The trio fled; Cordell staggered to his feet, blood gushing from his face.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There is no major washout or concern for burn scar areas.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
This comes amid a debate on the right over what themes to stress to avoid a GOP washout in November.—
The Wall Street Journal,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In recent editions, the rosters were drafted by James, Durant and Antetokounmpo in an attempt to shake things up.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
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Jothan saw us and shook our hands, as did Michael Ray, but Sun Ra scuffled by with an air of depthless blankness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Yamil Lage | Afp | Getty Images Cuba’s communist-run government is facing its biggest test since the collapse of the Soviet Union.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The stars eventually go supernova, and their respective cores collapse to form black holes containing as much as 100 times the mass of the sun.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Recent grocery store closures have rocked the north side of Milwaukee, where growing food deserts – areas where quality food is difficult to find – have left entire neighborhoods without ready access to food.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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As salt crusts form on the elevated end, the shifting weight causes the device to rock like a seesaw, submerging the buildup so the ocean can naturally wash it away.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Athletes from all over the world have seen their fair share of drama, stunning upsets and emotional moments.—
Suzanne Nuyen,
NPR,
13 Feb. 2026
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Iowa State slowed the game down and went on a 12-1 run to retake control, but TCU still had an opportunity to pull off the upset.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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State leadership failures are too many to include here, among them mismanagement of Maryland’s energy resources, a high-profile fiasco that has created massive financial pain for its citizens.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Feb. 2026
-
There was the Epstein files fiasco.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lurch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurch. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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