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Showing results for in the lurch. Search instead for menschenfurcht.
Definitions

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.

North has since learned she was not the only person Freddie Priestley had left in the lurch at the 11th hour after taking the deposit on a room in his three-bedroom flat.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

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

The decision leaves defense contractors and defense suppliers in the lurch.

From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • Nov. 3, 2025

When a parent is absent, you’re left in the lurch of not knowing, and it’s so easy to fill that space with negative thoughts.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.