Lurch — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈlərch/

Meaning & Definition of Lurch

Lurch (verb)

  1. to move with a lurch; also, stagger
  2. to roll or tip abruptly, pitch
  3. to defeat by a lurch (as in cribbage)
  4. to leave in the lurch
  5. to loiter about a place furtively, prowl
  6. cheat
  7. steal

Lurch (noun)

  1. an abrupt jerking, swaying, or tipping movement; also, stagger
  2. a sudden roll of a ship to one side
  3. a decisive defeat in which an opponent wins a game by more than double the defeated player's score especially in cribbage

Lurch (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions

    "the room lurched with every jolt of the earthquake"

    similar: careen, pitch, rock, roll, seesaw, sway, toss, wobble
    related: blunder, buck, dodder, falter, flounder, halt, hitch, hobble, jerk, jolt, reel, shake, stagger, stumble, teeter, toddle, totter, tumble, vacillate, vibrate, waddle, waver, weave, oscillate, undulate, wag, waggle

  2. 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"

    similar: careen, dodder, reel, stagger, teeter, totter, waddle
    related: rock, roll, seesaw, swag, sway, waver, weave, wobble, barge, blunder, clomp, clump, flounder, galumph, lumber, lump, pound, scuff, scuffle, shamble, shuffle, stamp, stomp, stumble, tramp, tromp

Lurch (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in shutout, whitewash

    similar: shutout, washout, whitewash, collapse, debacle, failure, fiasco, fizzle, flop, nonsuccess, setback, upset, beating, defeat, drubbing, licking, loss, lump, overthrow, plastering, rout, shellacking, trimming, trouncing, whipping
    opposite: success, triumph, victory, win, accomplishment, achievement, blowout, cakewalk, landslide, romp, runaway, sweep, walkaway, walkover

Related Entry: In the lurch (adjective)

In the lurch is a different word from Lurch. The synonyms below are for in the lurch, not for lurch.

  1. as in vulnerable, exposed

    similar: defenseless, exposed, helpless, susceptible, undefended, unguarded, unprotected, unresistant, vulnerable
    opposite: guarded, invulnerable, protected, resistant, shielded, defensible, covered, fortified, safe, screened, secure, sheltered, armed, armored, immune, impenetrable, impregnable, invincible, strong, unassailable, unbeatable, unconquerable, almighty, omnipotent

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Lurch

The most common words with a similar meaning to Lurch:

careen, pitch, rock, roll, seesaw, sway, toss, wobble, dodder, reel, stagger, teeter, totter, waddle, shutout, washout, whitewash, collapse, debacle, failure, fiasco, fizzle, flop, nonsuccess, setback, upset, beating, defeat, drubbing, licking, loss, lump, overthrow, plastering, rout, shellacking, trimming, trouncing, whipping

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Lurch

Words with the opposite meaning of Lurch:

success, triumph, victory, win, accomplishment, achievement, blowout, cakewalk, landslide, romp, runaway, sweep, walkaway, walkover

Related Words for Lurch

blunder, buck, falter, flounder, halt, hitch, hobble, jerk, jolt, shake, stumble, toddle, tumble, vacillate, vibrate, waver, weave, oscillate, undulate, wag, waggle, swag, barge, clomp, clump, galumph, lumber, pound, scuff, scuffle

Word Forms of Lurch

Inflections: lurched, lurching, lurches

Origin & Etymology of Lurch

origin unknown

First known use: circa 1828

Words & Phrases Containing Lurch

in the lurch, leave (someone) in the lurch

Frequently Asked Questions about Lurch

What does "Lurch" mean?

"Lurch" means to move with a lurch; also, stagger. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to move with a lurch; also, stagger. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Lurch"?

Other words for "Lurch" include careen, pitch, rock, roll, seesaw, sway, toss and wobble. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Lurch" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Lurch"?

There are 75 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Lurch". Common alternatives include careen, pitch, rock, roll, seesaw, sway, toss, wobble, dodder and reel.

What is the opposite of "Lurch"?

Antonyms of "Lurch" include success, triumph, victory, win, accomplishment, achievement, blowout and cakewalk.

How do you use "Lurch" in a sentence?

Examples of "Lurch" in a sentence: "the room lurched with every jolt of the earthquake"; "dressed in his zombie costume, the boy lurched down the street in his quest for Halloween candy".

Is "Lurch" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Lurch" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Lurch"?

"Lurch" is pronounced /ˈlərch/.

What is the origin of the word "Lurch"?

"Lurch" comes from origin unknown. First known use: circa 1828.