Synonyms of shirk

shirk

verb

ˈshərk 

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

• avoid
• evade
• escape
• shun
• eschew
• elude
• shake
• prevent
• dodge
• eliminate
• deflect
• scape
• shuffle (out of)
• steer clear of
• finesse
• keep clear of
• fight shy of
• get around
• duck
• obviate
• weasel (out of)
• stay clear of
• avert
• preclude
• exclude
• circumvent
• miss
• ward (off)
• thwart
• debar
• rule out
• divert
• parry
• except
• ban
• outwit
• bypass
• foil
• frustrate
• fox
• outsmart
• bar
• overreach
• outfox
• skirt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accept
• seek
• pursue
• embrace
• welcome
• incur
• catch
• contract
• court

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

• neglect
• forget
• slack (off)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• do
• remember
• perform
• attend (to)
• carry out
• achieve
• accomplish
• execute
• maintain
• keep up

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

• lurk
• sneak
• slip
• slide
• steal
• mouse
• snake
• crawl
• slink
• skulk
• pussyfoot
• creep
• tiptoe
• mooch
• edge
• ghost
• pad
• worm
• inch

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shirk

And Macy’s is still doing those in New York City this summer, so nobody’s shirking on the fireworks. — Paige Darrah, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 May 2026

Men don’t shirk family responsibilities. — Sean Gregory, Time, 26 May 2026

Paying influencers is legal, though state law requires both campaigns and the creators to disclose compensation, which the Becerra and Steyer campaigns have each accused the other of shirking in recent ethics complaints. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026

This wasn’t the first time Evans has been accused of shirking her obligations. — Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2026