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
Relevance
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
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
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
As one officer reaches for the SUV's door handle, the vehicle lurches backward and then begins moving forward, rightward, seemingly away from the officers.
—Justin Gomez, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2026
Then the vehicle lurches forward again.
—Sam Kestenbaum, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2026
The conversation lurches from the furniture to groceries and health, to the price of fuel and the view out the window.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Verb
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
As one officer reaches for the SUV's door handle, the vehicle lurches backward and then begins moving forward, rightward, seemingly away from the officers.
—Justin Gomez, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2026
Then the vehicle lurches forward again.
—Sam Kestenbaum, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2026
The conversation lurches from the furniture to groceries and health, to the price of fuel and the view out the window.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurches
Verb
-
Sunday's vote was seen as a key test of whether the EU member nation stays on its liberal course or sways toward the right.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Grips the microphone, sways her hips.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The first 10 minutes of the film are set in Norms, where a grungy man staggers in with a bomb, ranting about artificial intelligence.—
Fielding Buck,
Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
These are firms that have survived recessions, world wars, colonial collapses, and technological revolutions.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
But fears spiked at the end of last year after the high-profile collapses of First Brands, an auto parts manufacturer, and Tricolor, a subprime auto lender, called attention to significant fraud and weakness in the sector.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Project supervisor Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller) also rocks a lot of knitted sweaters, visually positioning her away from the Ice Queen/Girlboss cliches the film wants to avoid.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Exclusively for Idaho Statesman readers, Gilbert has highlighted 35 acts to see at the annual event, which rocks multiple venues Wednesday through Sunday.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Expectations going up after two straight Playoff washouts.—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
-
In optimal conditions, most vehicles can make it, but high clearance is strongly recommended—especially in winter and after storms, when washouts, flooding, or snow accumulation are possible.—
Taryn Shorr-Mckee,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
From Monday to Friday, the reception area will serve as a nutrition center for athletes, offering smoothies, protein shakes, granola and anything else an athlete could need.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The company, founded in 1980, is best known for its meal replacements, protein shakes, nutritional teas and vitamins.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Presenting the album to media and industry guests, Flea looked right at home wearing flip flops on a hot summer’s day.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Instead, the Fire Phone - overseen directly by founder Jeff Bezos - was scrapped in barely over a year, one of Amazon’s highest-profile flops.—
Greg Bensinger,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
His play, along with teammates Kai Valentine, Cooper Ellwood and Davis May, propelled Rock Canyon to Coliseum upsets in the Final Four and championship game.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
-
While this year’s tournament has been lacking Cinderellas, the dearth of upsets means the four teams remaining are truly some of the best in the country.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lurches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurches. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
