1
as in to avoid
to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery
you always try to shirk paying your fair share of the bill by claiming you "forgot" your wallet
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to neglect
to leave undone or unattended to especially through carelessness
a deadbeat who has been shirking his duty to his family for years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to lurk
to move about in a sly or secret manner
given the multitude of auditoriums at the multiplex, it's not too difficult for underaged kids to shirk into R-rated movies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shirk
Diaz gave the oversized suit trend an all-white spin on Friday, once again shirking heels in favor of square-toed black loafers—which are quickly becoming one of the most popular shoes of 2025.
—
Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 17 Jan. 2025
In one instance cited in the agency's consent order, Cash App instructed a customer who reported an unauthorized debit card to contact the person's bank, shirking its statutory duty to investigate possible incidents of fraud.
—Anne Marie Lee, CBS News, 17 Jan. 2025
The system has totally broken down — Republicans shirked their responsibilities and Democrats botched theirs.
—S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025
The piece was a scalding rebuke of the museum’s lack of Native representation and a critique of how such institutions shirk accountability.
—Jeremy Lybarger, ARTnews.com, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shirk
Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 17 Jan. 2025
In one instance cited in the agency's consent order, Cash App instructed a customer who reported an unauthorized debit card to contact the person's bank, shirking its statutory duty to investigate possible incidents of fraud.
—Anne Marie Lee, CBS News, 17 Jan. 2025
The system has totally broken down — Republicans shirked their responsibilities and Democrats botched theirs.
—S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025
The piece was a scalding rebuke of the museum’s lack of Native representation and a critique of how such institutions shirk accountability.
—Jeremy Lybarger, ARTnews.com, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shirk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shirk
Verb
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In a post on X, the NYPD asked people to avoid the area as the investigation proceeded.—
Elizabeth Keogh,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2025
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While Janice avoids even visiting Eric in prison, she is torn between cleaning out his room and grappling with the role of faith and religion.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The deposition detailed that two sergeants and a nurse watched the attack and neglected to intervene.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
20 Feb. 2025
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To some degree, Jewish philanthropists and communal groups have already started focusing on climate in recent years after long neglecting the issue.—
Asaf Elia-Shalev,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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New York City is known for its towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, but lurking beneath the glitz and glamour of the city that never sleeps are 3 million resilient rats that have cemented their place as native New Yorkers.—
Sarah Baniak,
ABC News,
12 Feb. 2025
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Most people are aware of the risk of forever chemicals lurking in items such as plastic straws.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Colt escapes by initially driving a speedboat while facing away from the controls, evades his pursuers by zigging and zagging through the river, and then purposefully drives his boat into a floating pontoon, faking his own death via the gigantic explosion.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2025
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Now, however, DHS states that the previous rules hindered law enforcement efforts by creating sites where people without legal status could evade capture.—
Jackie Fortiér,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Gone but not forgotten: Lizzy Caplan is opening up about that Gambit movie that never was, and her honest thoughts on it getting scrapped.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
28 Feb. 2025
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Items in the collab, to be released March 7, include caps with Murakami’s signature, colorful, smiling flowers, clothing, and—not to be forgotten—an all-American favorite collector’s item: baseball cards.—
The Editors of ARTnews,
ARTnews.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Outside of Aspen, only Vail managed to sneak a home onto the state’s top 10 list.—
Aldo Svaldi,
The Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2025
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Looking Ahead: The Mountaineers played two tight battles this week, falling at Baylor in OT over the weekend before sneaking by Cincinnati at home.—
Jim Root,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The 48 men were arrested by Thai authorities 11 years ago after crossing the border to Thailand in an attempt to escape persecution in China and had been kept in detention and legal limbo ever since.—
Kocha Olarn,
CNN,
27 Feb. 2025
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But in 2023 she and her associate Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested for child abuse after one of Franke’s sons escaped from Hildebrandt’s home in Utah.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Its follow-up, the group’s second full-length, declines even further, slipping from No. 21 to No. 33. Follow me on Twitter.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
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The 10-year Treasury note yield slipped on Wednesday as concerns over an escalating trade war and weak economic growth led traders to send bond prices higher.—
Hakyung Kim,Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shirk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shirk. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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