1
: a quick thrust or jab (as of a sword) usually made by leaning or striding forward
2
: a sudden forward rush or reach
made a lunge to catch the ball
3
: an exercise in which a person in a standing position steps forward into a position in which the front knee is deeply bent while keeping the torso erect and then returns back to the starting position
also
: a similar exercise in which the initial movement is to the side rather than forward
Note: A lunge can be done while holding weights or without weights.
lunged; lunging
1
: to make a lunge : move with or as if with a lunge
2
: to perform a lunge exercise (see lunge entry 1 sense 3)
: to thrust or propel (something, such as a blow) in a lunge
Synonyms
Examples of lunge in a Sentence
Noun
He made a lunge at me with his knife.
He made a desperate lunge for the ball.
Verb
He lunged at me with his knife.
She lunged across the table.
The crocodile lunged at its prey.
The dog lunged for his throat.
Recent Examples on the Web
Amy Kwan, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2024
Within seconds, an officer gets out of the car and lunges toward McAlpin.
—Karina Tsui, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024
Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Verstappen then lunged on the inside of Norris at Turn 8, a fast left-hander, and never came close to making the corner, forcing the McLaren wide.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lunge 
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Noun
Take breaks for resistance exercises: Stop at specific time or distance intervals and do some body weight resistance strengthening exercises, such as squats, jumping jacks, lunges, or push-ups.
—Amy Kwan, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2024
Within seconds, an officer gets out of the car and lunges toward McAlpin.
—Karina Tsui, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
Moore lunged for the leather at the Bruins’ 13-yard line, cradling the ball and victory in his hands.
—Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Verstappen then lunged on the inside of Norris at Turn 8, a fast left-hander, and never came close to making the corner, forcing the McLaren wide.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lunge
Dictionary Entries Near lunge
Cite this Entry
“Lunge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lunge. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lunge
1 of 2 noun1
: a sudden stretching thrust or pass (as with a sword)
2
: a sudden forward rush or reach
lunge
2 of 2 verb
lunged; lunging
1
: to move with or as if with a lunge
2
: to make a lunge (as with a sword)
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