1
as in swayed
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 staggered
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lurched
Since then, the larger culture has lurched rightward, with big corporations abandoning progressive signaling in favor of…other priorities.
—
Alison Herman, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
Over the course of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s term, CPS has lurched from budget crisis to budget crisis, able only to muddle through due to record-breaking mayoral declarations of tax-increment-financing surpluses.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Elsewhere in town, the original creature, played by Christian Bale, has lurched here from Austria still on his lonely quest for companionship.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Then, just as abruptly, the plane lurched up, slamming everyone back to the ground.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
According to prosecutors, when other drivers honked at him, Alvardo woke up and lurched his vehicle forward, striking 70-year-old crossing guard John Miro, who was on the sidewalk at Sunrise Highway and Merrick Avenue.
—Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
The big polar bear lurched forward, hitting top speed in two strides.
—Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 4 Feb. 2026
As Matt Woosnam reflected recently, the Premier League’s feel-good story has lurched into night terrors.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The entire tech industry lurched into motion.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Alison Herman, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
Over the course of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s term, CPS has lurched from budget crisis to budget crisis, able only to muddle through due to record-breaking mayoral declarations of tax-increment-financing surpluses.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Elsewhere in town, the original creature, played by Christian Bale, has lurched here from Austria still on his lonely quest for companionship.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Then, just as abruptly, the plane lurched up, slamming everyone back to the ground.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
According to prosecutors, when other drivers honked at him, Alvardo woke up and lurched his vehicle forward, striking 70-year-old crossing guard John Miro, who was on the sidewalk at Sunrise Highway and Merrick Avenue.
—Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
The big polar bear lurched forward, hitting top speed in two strides.
—Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 4 Feb. 2026
As Matt Woosnam reflected recently, the Premier League’s feel-good story has lurched into night terrors.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The entire tech industry lurched into motion.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurched
Verb
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People swayed to Cléopâtre's music on Sunday, with some singing along and blowing her kisses, while performers in colorful clothes danced on stage.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Big Wild was up next on the Be stage, bringing melodic dance and peaceful vibes to the crowd gathered, who swayed to the music or lay out on the grass.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Hunt times are staggered according to age groups.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Plus, the Herro and Powell minutes likely will continue to be as staggered as when one started and one played in reserve, with Herro subbed out midway through Wednesday night’s first quarter.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But the war with Iran has rocked markets, sending the Dow and Nasdaq into correction territory.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The horrific shooting has rocked the Plainville community, with its reverberations being felt throughout the state.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When Bradford delivered the detail about the sandwich, the board and attendees laughed and shook their heads.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
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Stocks shook off an early stumble to finish with slim gains on Wall Street Thursday and close out their first winning week since the start of the Iran war.—
Damian J. Troise,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
We are jerked between past and present as his backstory gets filled in, one jogged memory at a time.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Aisha jerked and opened her eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lurched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurched. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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