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
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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
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Recent Examples of lurches
Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Mar. 2026
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
Verb
Republicans’ hopes of holding on to their slim majorities in the House and Senate may well hinge on the cost at the pump as the war against Iran lurches into its second week.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lurches
Verb
-
Biff shouts at him at the show’s excruciating climax) sways between light and dark, between the road and the deadly shoulder, advancing through his last hours on earth as if through the stations of the cross.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
-
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
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
-
As the sun's core collapses, its outer layers, where nuclear fusion is still occurring, will puff out to around 100 times the original width of the sun — maybe more.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Marin stuck to her plan of staying close until a moment that changed everything with shocking swiftness — her changing her mind and going for the green on the par-5 13th for a go-ahead birdie, and Talley adding to the sad history of collapses on the back nine at the home of the Masters.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Woody Harrelson rocks a newsboy cap at the premiere of Animal Farm in New York City on April 21.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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On the other hand, cool‑season sod farmers usually grow Kentucky bluegrass, which germinates slowly compared to other turfgrass species, increasing the risk of washouts.—
Ryan Bearss,
The Conversation,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Expectations going up after two straight Playoff washouts.—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a reception, held on Victory Day marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2025.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2026
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Protein shakes can be made with milk or water.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Spring break season is nearing its end, but before students across the country trade their flip flops for books again, a southern spring break staple is about to kick off.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
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Temperatures are going to be summer-like the next several days in the Philadelphia region, so ditch the coat and replace your wardrobe with shorts, T-shirts and flip flops.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The playoffs have had a fair share of upsets so far, but this is the biggest on paper.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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Monkeys in the tourism hotspot have apparently learned to eat dirt to soothe stomach upsets caused by eating too much sweet, fatty and salty snacks fed to them by visitors, a new study found.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lurches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lurches. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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