1
as in avoided
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 neglected
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 sneaked
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 shirked
Before the verdict arrived, Musk’s lawyer apologized after Musk shirked a court order requiring him to be available in case any further testimony was needed in the case.
—
Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
There is no question about his attitude or application; this is not a case of a player who has shirked responsibility or failed to work hard enough in training or in matches.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Rudnev shirked money, power, and influence, of any kind.
—William Jones, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Importers are supposed to notify Cal Fire when a shipment arrives, but a Bee investigation found that the companies linked to the Esparto property shirked that requirement for years.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 22 Jan. 2026
In the court’s majority opinion, Justice Amy Coney Barrett forcefully pushed back against Jackson’s suggestion the court shirked on its duty to protect the people from government overreach.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 27 June 2025
Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
There is no question about his attitude or application; this is not a case of a player who has shirked responsibility or failed to work hard enough in training or in matches.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Rudnev shirked money, power, and influence, of any kind.
—William Jones, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Importers are supposed to notify Cal Fire when a shipment arrives, but a Bee investigation found that the companies linked to the Esparto property shirked that requirement for years.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 22 Jan. 2026
In the court’s majority opinion, Justice Amy Coney Barrett forcefully pushed back against Jackson’s suggestion the court shirked on its duty to protect the people from government overreach.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 27 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shirked
Verb
-
But in Brazil, the main terrestrial broadcaster, Globo, has avoided advertising.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Carter Jensen led off the game with a home run, and John Rave, Lane Thomas and Michael Massey also went deep as the Royals avoided a three-game sweep in Washington.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Verb
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For very stubborn, dark, or long-neglected stains, Sokolowski recommends adding vinegar to the mix.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
17 June 2026
-
This legendary experiment in medieval aviation comes to us via 12th-century historian William of Malmesbury in an account written circa 1125, although William neglected to provide future historians with an exact date for the feat.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
But whenever Louis’s hand dipped, Schmeling sneaked in a lightning-quick right cross.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
-
The six-suite Baines’ Lodge, though, has stealthily sneaked past them all as an existing camp that has received a thoughtful, artful makeover from operator Abercrombie & Kent.—
Todd Plummer,
Robb Report,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
California Highway Patrol arrested a Sacramento man who police say evaded arrest and stole a patrol car, the Sacramento Police Department announced Friday afternoon.—
Evelyn Ronan,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
-
For years, Heuermann evaded law enforcement despite the discovery of four of the victims' remains in 2010.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Another officer lurked farther away from the home.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2026
-
Jacobs, with his long rifle and pack of dogs, was not the only predator in the Alleghenies—wolves and mountain lions still lurked in the forest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Kansas City police are continuing to search for a 22-year-old man suspected of instigating a string of shootings Tuesday night, who has now escaped two standoffs with law enforcement.—
Ilana Arougheti
June 18,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
-
Over the course of a 60-yard run, Maradona danced past opponents, escaped challenges and left English defenders helpless before beating the goalkeeper with a clinical finish.—
Cesar R. Torres,
The Conversation,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Only two failed transfers occurred, both involving extremely thin pieces that slipped from the chopsticks.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
19 June 2026
-
His approval rating on the economy slipped two points, to 30%, from April and his rating on inflation was also down two points, to 22%, while 19% approve of his handling of gas prices in the latest poll.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Call slid across the plate as the throw from Orioles right fielder Tyler O’Neill took for a long hop to catcher Samuel Basallo.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
Cannabis tax revenue there surged until 2021, peaked at $396 million, then slid to about $221 million in 2025, highlighting that cannabis tax revenue doesn’t just keep climbing forever.—
Dario Sabaghi,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shirked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shirked. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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