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
Relevance
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
The move could create an opening to shirk support from the mayor's plan.
—
Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 12 Dec. 2024
Given the perils of the years ahead, now is not the time for the Trump administration to shirk that responsibility.
—Michael Green, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
The Republican senator agrees that NATO nations must do more for their own defense, but says U.S. cannot shirk its duty to defend its allies.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
None of this is to say that universities should shirk from making tough decisions.
—Dhruvak Mirani, Baltimore Sun, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for shirk 
Eleanor McCrary, The Courier-Journal, 12 Dec. 2024
Given the perils of the years ahead, now is not the time for the Trump administration to shirk that responsibility.
—Michael Green, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
The Republican senator agrees that NATO nations must do more for their own defense, but says U.S. cannot shirk its duty to defend its allies.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
None of this is to say that universities should shirk from making tough decisions.
—Dhruvak Mirani, Baltimore Sun, 1 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for shirk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shirk
Verb
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And no one still with this organization will avoid the sting of Rantanen’s being traded.—
Arthur Staple,
The Athletic,
25 Jan. 2025
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Also, avoid flying on Sundays and Mondays, which tend to be the most expensive due to weekend trips and business travelers, according to 2024 data from flight app Hopper.—
Amelia Edelman,
NPR,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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While politicians spent years virtue-signaling and high-fiving themselves, basic services and infrastructure were neglected.—
William Choslovsky,
Orlando Sentinel,
25 Jan. 2025
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That report concluded that the main threats to the statistical agencies include declining public participation in surveys, not enough laws to help protect the data's integrity from political interference and neglect from congressional appropriators.—
Hansi Lo Wang,
NPR,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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As this seduction of sorts happens, Hannah lurks in the background worried her child will end up disappointed, while also growing increasingly worried about Jim’s ever-encroaching mortality.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2025
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If a former hitmaker hasn’t connected recently, their Brat Summer might be lurking around the corner.—
Jason Lipshutz,
Billboard,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Coffee badgers are often turned in by co-workers who resent having to comply with office attendance directives while others evade them, Nickson said.—
Paul Davidson,
USA TODAY,
21 Jan. 2025
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The driver, identified as 43-year-old Nana Oppong-Bonsu of East Hartford, was arrested and charged with evading responsibility.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Both groups will try to forget about their record and season to date on Thursday during the first of two games.—
Tony East,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
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And don't forget to follow Allure on Instagram and TikTok—or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Sometimes, he's gotten invited to inaugural balls; other times, he's been able to sneak in.—
Chelsea Brasted,
Axios,
17 Jan. 2025
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And with a personal training certification and a degree in kinesiology, a wellness focus often sneaks into many aspects of my personal and professional life.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The foxes are a legacy of the 2006 war between Lebanon's Hezbollah militia and Israel, when the animals moved down to the coast to escape fighting in the hills.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
22 Jan. 2025
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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.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In the quarter, Apple slipped to third place — with about a sixth of the market, according to a Counterpoint research featured by Bloomberg.—
Peter Cohan,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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The 10-year slipped from a high near 4.8% back to 4.6% over a few days.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near shirk
Cite this Entry
“Shirk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shirk. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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