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
Relevance
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
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 lurch
Lyle Goldstein, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Hollywood lurched into a fresh wave of existential panic this week after Deadline, notating an otherwise dry industry panel on Saturday, September 27, seized on a stray remark.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2025
Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
Many San Diego families and local employers were thrown into a lurch during the strike, which lasted just over one week in February 1996.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lurch
Verb
Instead of taking a low profile and playing down any claims to Taiwan’s independent status like his more cautious DPP predecessor Tsai Ying-wen, Lai has lurched toward formal independence with a succession of speeches making the case for Taiwanese nationhood.
—Noun
OpenAI may have little choice but to undergo this commercial lurch.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurch
Verb
-
Her efforts have thus far not swayed the Senate, which has chosen instead to advance two alternative tax relief bills introduced by state Sens.—
-
Long, swaying motion was widely reported, with additional aftershocks continuing through late morning.—
Verb
-
The Bills had a pretty cushy road schedule this year, playing once outside the Eastern time zone, yet staggered around early.—
-
The Packers staggered to the finish with a four-game losing streak but will have quarterback Jordan Love (concussion) back.—
Noun
-
The route is washboarded and deeply rutted in several long stretches, as well as prone to washouts.—
-
When unusually heavy rainfall rendered that year a washout on the farming front, Sue got a job at Beth’s Farm Kitchen, a prominent jam and chutney maker nearby.—
Verb
-
Light shaking was detected, and people in several cities - including Hercules, San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland and Fremont - reported feeling the tremor, according to the USGS DYFI report.—
-
Trim the dead parts, shake the soil off, and store them in a cool, dark location where they are protected from the cold.—
Noun
-
If trees and powerlines collapse, there's a chance that patio furniture can become airborne.—
-
The Sacramento Kings suffered another fourth-quarter collapse as their losing streak continued with another blowout loss.—
Verb
-
Harbaugh is now the top coach on a market rocked by his availability.—
-
After rocking her signature long locks for years, the Ocean's Eight actress went for the big chop this fall and is now sporting a lob.—
Noun
-
While Canada will face Guatemala, the team that pulled an upset on the Canadians in the Gold Cup quarterfinals, on January 17, more important pre-World Cup matches loom.—
-
Ole Miss earned its spot with an upset of its own — over SEC foe Georgia — but the Hurricanes’ defensive front is arguably the best in the nation.—
Noun
-
How messy could this negotiation get with his agent, David Mulugheta, who also represented Micah Parsons in that fiasco last offseason?—
-
Then came the shocking fiasco in New Orleans, a 40-22 loss to the Eagles.—
Cite this Entry
“Lurch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurch. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share