Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
↔️ To move unsteadily ↔️ A sudden movement 🚶 To wander aimlessly 🎲 A total defeat
to lurch

to lurch

34 5.6
To move suddenly and unsteadily, often forward or to one side
  • verb
  • /lɜrʧ/
translation icon : tambalearse
  • "A few seconds later, the cart lurched forward, then started moving steadily along the road.
  • lurch forward

And, you know, that's like the left has lurched far to the left.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • As the wind howled, the vessel lurched sickeningly from side to side, rapidly taking on water.

    Academic text (2007)

  • When oil prices fell drastically in 1985-86, the Norwegian economy lurched into recession.

    Academic text (1997)

  • The buggy used to lurch side to side.

    Women Talking (2022)

  • You said the car lurched.

    The Detective (1968)

  • The truck tore down the dirt and lurched heavily onto the road.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • When he got to the front stoop, he lurched and fell forward.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • When your car runs out of gas, it just sputters and lurches to an embarrassing stop.

    Academic text (1996)

  • The coach bounced and lurched with each rut and curve in the high road.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • The heavy dung cart lurched forward, then rolled easily behind him on the downhill trail.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • As the bus braked suddenly, I felt myself lurch forward in my seat.

Synonyms

to jerk
vsto lurch
217 2.0

To move something suddenly and sharply

is larger sudden unsteady movement rather than a small quick twitch
to pitch
vsto lurch
53 5.1

To tilt or fall suddenly, often in a vehicle

is general sudden unsteady movement not only side tilting
to stagger
vsto lurch
49 4.0

Walk in an unsteady way as if about to fall

is sudden abrupt movement rather than slow unsteady walking from weakness
to wobble
vsto lurch
40 3.8

To move or shake unsteadily from side to side

is sudden abrupt movement rather than gentle irregular shaking
to careen
vsto lurch
20 7.7

Move quickly and out of control, often from side to side

is sudden abrupt movement rather than prolonged uncontrolled speed
to reel
vsto lurch
16 4.6

To move in an unsteady way as if about to fall

is sudden abrupt movement rather than ongoing loss of balance
to slew
vsto lurch
15 7.6

To slide or turn sideways suddenly, often out of control

is sudden unsteady movement not limited to sliding or turning
to jolt
vsto lurch
15 3.7

To move in a sudden, rough way

is abrupt unsteady movement rather than a repeated rough push
to totter
vsto lurch
11 4.8

To walk in an unsteady way as if about to fall

is sudden unsteady movement rather than slow unstable walking
jolted
vsto lurch
4.6

Shaken suddenly and strongly, moving in a quick, uneven way

is sudden unsteady movement rather than a single heavy impact
to wabble
vsto lurch
8.9

To move unsteadily from side to side

is sudden and abrupt rather than soft side to side motion
to wamble
vsto lurch
  • Archaic
9.9

To move unsteadily while rolling from side to side

is sudden and abrupt rather than smooth rolling instability

Antonyms

to steady
41 3.4

To make yourself or something stop moving

Idioms

in the lurch
  • Informal
8 8.2

Left without help at an important time

in the lurch
  • Informal
1 7.7

Left suddenly without help when you need it

How Sudden

to tumble
88 2.9
to jerk
217 2.0
to lurch
34 5.6
to stumble
129 1.6

Surface Forms

lurch infinitive
lurched past
lurched past participle
lurching present participle
lurches third person singular

Etymology

Lurch as a verb likely grew from the same old idea of being tipped or thrown without control, so to lurch is to move suddenly and unsteadily, like a quick, awkward push forward.