in the lurch

ADJECTIVE

late

Synonyms

STRONGEST

last-minute slow

WEAK

backward behind behind time behindhand belated blown delayed dilatory eleventh hour gone held up hung up in a bind jammed lagging missed the boat out of luck overdue postponed put off remiss stayed strapped tardy too late unpunctual

Antonyms

WEAK

antique early live old old-fashioned on time prompt punctual

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There’s a worrying precedent from the financial crisis of a big American company being left in the lurch.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

As imports are disrupted, India has moved to ensure households and essential sectors remain adequately supplied, leaving restaurants, manufacturers and power plants in the lurch.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Department of Agriculture have stopped, leaving some would-be home buyers in the lurch.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 3, 2025

Although he says the birth of his son was "the happiest moment of my life", he soon felt as though he was leaving his partner "in the lurch".

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2025

Maybe he thought I was right behind him, or maybe he'd left me in the lurch.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

in the lurch

Example Sentences

Related Words