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.

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

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

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

They keep dropping closer and closer all round us; still we cannot leave the grub in the lurch.

From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque

in the lurch

Example Sentences

Related Words