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.

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

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

PM Property Law's parent group, PM Law Group, had shut abruptly at the beginning of February, leaving hundreds of clients in the lurch.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

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

From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026

That freeze has left many buyers in the lurch and stuck without financing or the flood insurance that’s required for their mortgage.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 31, 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