shoulder

²shoulder

verb

shoul·deredshoul·der·ing\-d(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of SHOULDER

transitive verb

1

: to push or thrust with or as if with the shoulder : jostle <shouldered his way through the crowd>

2

a : to place or bear on the shoulder <shouldered her knapsack> b : to assume the burden or responsibility of <shoulder the blame>

intransitive verb

: to push with or as if with the shoulders aggressively

Examples of SHOULDER

1. He shouldered the blame for the project's failure.
2. The company will shoulder the costs of the repairs.
3. She shouldered the full burden of raising three children.
4. He shouldered the door open.
5. She shouldered through the crowd.
6. She shouldered her way through the crowd.
7. The soldiers shouldered their rifles and marched away.

First Known Use of SHOULDER

14th century

Related to SHOULDER

Synonyms: accept, bear, assume, take over, undertake

Antonyms: disavow, disclaim, disown, repudiate

Related Words: adopt, embrace, take up; advocate, back, champion, endorse (also indorse), espouse, stand by, support, uphold; accede, acquiesce, agree, assent, consent; reaccept, reassume

Near Antonyms: abjure, recant, renounce, retract, take back, unsay, withdraw; decline, refuse, reject, spurn, turn down; abstain (from), forbear, refrain (from); avoid, bypass, detour; abandon, abnegate, forsake, give up, relinquish, spurn, surrender; back down, back off, backtrack

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