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
Pike can’t shirk his promise to train cadets at the Academy.
—
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
Chancellor Jeremy Haefner told The Denver Post that inclusivity remains a core value at DU and vowed the federal government will not strongarm the campus into shirking from that.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Nick, desperate to return to the present, shirks the doting parents and brother who long to comfort him.
—Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
In new photos from a Beckham family yacht trip off the coast of Italy, Victoria seemed to shirk traditional bathing suit cover ups in favor of wearing sheer, lacy lingerie over her black bikini during a family yacht trip off the coast Italy.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shirk
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
Chancellor Jeremy Haefner told The Denver Post that inclusivity remains a core value at DU and vowed the federal government will not strongarm the campus into shirking from that.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Nick, desperate to return to the present, shirks the doting parents and brother who long to comfort him.
—Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
In new photos from a Beckham family yacht trip off the coast of Italy, Victoria seemed to shirk traditional bathing suit cover ups in favor of wearing sheer, lacy lingerie over her black bikini during a family yacht trip off the coast Italy.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shirk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shirk
Verb
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Of course, anyone with a tree-nut allergy should avoid almond butter altogether.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
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Tillery also advises her clients to skip overpacking and go with carry-on luggage to avoid unnecessary baggage fees or inconveniences if there are flight changes.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Plus, in the case that food gets neglected to the back of the fridge and does spoil, each piece is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
29 Oct. 2025
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The revelations underscored concerns about systemic issues within Alameda County’s child welfare agency for how quickly its employees responded to reports of children being abused or neglected.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The story’s scope is considerably wider, and along with it comes the looming dread that the truth behind the mysterious shooting that opened the film in media res might be lurking around any corner.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
28 Oct. 2025
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Much of Hierapolis’ status was derived from the geothermal forces lurking beneath its surface.—
Barry Neild,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In addition to the allegations that the companies hid the risks of taking acetaminophen, Paxton’s lawsuit also alleges that Johnson & Johnson sought to evade liability for its actions by spinning off Kenvue.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
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Neither Father Burke or Sister Irene realize it at the end of the movie, but Valak evades banishment by possessing Frenchie.—
Julie Tremaine,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The earth-shattering events of the first trilogy have been all but forgotten, and the Magisterium looms as large as ever.—
Lev Grossman,
The Atlantic,
23 Oct. 2025
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Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The woman did not stay at the hospital long, however, and shortly after checking in was able to sneak out of the facility unbeknownst to law enforcement, per the affidavit.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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Don’t forget to sneak a doughnut for yourself before sharing, because the only thing spookier than a ghost is an empty Krispy Kreme dozens box!—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Epstein story is all about people who are sufficiently rich or entitled escaping the full consequences of their actions, something that is still happening here.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
25 Oct. 2025
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Seven years after disappearing from his California home in 1972, 14-year-old Steven Stayner escaped his kidnapper, Kenneth Parnell, and returned to his family in 1980.—
James Mercadante,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Women’s Power Stride Tab Socks 3-pack Designed with training in mind, this three-pack of no-show socks boasts an interior grip that keeps them from slipping during use.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
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Messi picked up the ball from his compatriot Rodrigo De Paul in midfield and burst toward the backpedaling Nashville back line before slipping the ball outside to Luis Suárez.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shirk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shirk. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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