left in the lurch

Part of Speech:

All (6) Adjective (5) Adverb (1)

Jump To:

abandoned adj.
deserted adj.
forsaken adj.
lorn adj.
stranded adj.
single-handed adv.

ADJECTIVE

abandoned

Synonyms

STRONG

deserted discarded dissipated dropped dumped eliminated empty forgotten forsaken jilted left neglected rejected relinquished shunned sidelined vacated

WEAK

alone cast aside cast away eighty-sixed given up godforsaken left in the cold outcast passed up pigeon-holed side-tracked unoccupied vacant

Antonyms

WEAK

adopted chaste cherished defended innocent maintained moral pure restrained supported virtuous

ADJECTIVE

deserted

Synonyms

STRONGEST

barren derelict desolate empty forlorn isolated lonely neglected uninhabited vacant

STRONG

bare forsaken left relinquished

WEAK

bereft cast-off godforsaken left stranded lorn solitary uncouth

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cheerful filled full happy inhabited pleased populated productive used

WEAK

busy crowded populous

ADJECTIVE

forsaken

Synonyms

STRONG

deserted desolate disowned ignored isolated jilted marooned

WEAK

cast off derelict destitute forlorn friendless godforsaken left at the altar left behind lonely lorn outcast solitary thrown over

Antonyms

STRONG

populated

WEAK

cherished helped nurtured wanted

ADJECTIVE

lorn

Synonyms

WEAK

alone bereft cast aside cast away derelict deserted desolate discarded dissipated dropped dumped eighty-sixed eliminated empty forgotten forlorn forsaken given up godforsaken jilted left left in the cold neglected outcast passed up pigeon-holed rejected relinquished shunned side-tracked sidelined unoccupied vacant vacated

ADJECTIVE

stranded

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aground ashore grounded helpless wrecked

STRONG

beached shipwrecked sidelined sidetracked

WEAK

cast away godforsaken high and dry homeless left at the altar out in left field passed up penniless run aground

Antonyms

WEAK

found

ADVERB

single-handed

Synonyms

WEAK

alone independent on one's own unaided unassisted

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.

See Examples For:

left in the lurch

Uniper was left in the lurch after Germany stopped importing Russian natural gas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026

He said that his family feel "left in the lurch" and described the experience like being in "purgatory".

From BBC ● Dec. 17, 2025

Many people may be left in the lurch, and the state may have to start considering standing up a new program for insuring homes in the fire-ravaged state, he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 12, 2025

“There is so much at stake here. As a result, local residents are left in the lurch and the climate is further heated,” the groups wrote.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 14, 2023

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

left in the lurch

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words