lurches
Moves off balance
Lurches is the plural noun and third-person singular verb form of lurch.
A lurch is a sudden, unsteady movement, typically to one side, like the motion of a ship in rough seas or a drunk stumbling home.
To lurch is to make such movements: The bus lurched forward and I nearly fell.
If someone leaves you in the lurch, they abandon you in a difficult situation without help or warning.
Lose footing momentarily
Affected by alcohol
- inebriatedIntoxicated by alcohol
- tipsyMildly intoxicated
- woozyDizzy and confused
- groggyWeak and unsteady
dizzy · unsteady · sway · stagger · reel · stumble · wobbly · weaving
Abrupt forceful shake
- bumpSlight collision or protrusion
- shudderConvulsive trembling from fear
- brakeDevice to slow motion
- swerveAbrupt directional change
pitch · jerk · stop-start · bus · train · ship · turbulence · rough road
stumble
Lose footing momentarily
teeter · totter · reel · jolt · lunge · pitch · rock · tilt · veer · careen
drunken
Affected by alcohol
- inebriatedIntoxicated by alcohol
- tipsyMildly intoxicated
- woozyDizzy and confused
groggy · dizzy · unsteady · sway · stagger · reel · stumble · wobbly · weaving · swaying
jolt
Abrupt forceful shake
swerve · pitch · jerk · stop-start · bus · train · ship · turbulence · rough road · pothole
- fluctuationsfluctuations, oscillations, variations, swings, waves
lurchessteadies
Makes firm or stable
stabilizes · balances · holds steady · anchors · settles
- left in the lurchAbandoned in difficulty
- leave someone in the lurchDesert in difficulty
- leave in the lurch