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
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Malepeai, her co-defendant Freddie Lee Davis III, and two others who avoided federal charges were identified by police as members of a robbery crew that committed violent purse snatchings around the Bay Area.
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After not being present for voluntary activities throughout the offseason, Pickens avoided a contract holdout situation and reported to The Star for the first time since the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Verb
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The organization also wants an independent investigation into why Heritage Park was neglected, a review of maintenance records and an inspection of all public housing in the city.
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The cemetery has been neglected for decades, but White wants to ensure its historical value is retained for those buried there who cannot speak for themselves.
Verb
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After Tyler Soderstrom drew a walk, the A’s Jonah Heim snuck an opposite-field single past the outstretched dive of third baseman Matt Chapman.
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Julia snuck some matchstick carrots into the potato mixture, then blew my socks off with a punchy, springy topping of feta, mint, dill, and chives.
Verb
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California Highway Patrol arrested a Sacramento man who police say evaded arrest and stole a patrol car, the Sacramento Police Department announced Friday afternoon.
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For years, Heuermann evaded law enforcement despite the discovery of four of the victims' remains in 2010.
Verb
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Another officer lurked farther away from the home.
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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.
Verb
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Emilio Buitrago, who was born in Venezuela but moved to Philadelphia in the 1990s, says his cousin narrowly escaped her apartment building during the earthquakes.
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And this has not escaped Justice Alito's notice.
Verb
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The survey doesn’t explain why satisfaction has slipped since then, but a 73 is well below the fast food average of 79.
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Salih Ozcan kicked a long cross to Can Uzun got the ball in space on the back post slipped it under sprawling goalkeeper Matt Turner to Ayhan.
Verb
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When Costco asked for a photograph, Ellinger slid into a tattoo parlor chair and turned the little white lie into a permanent reality.
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Breakker followed Rollins atop the ropes, but Seth bit Bron, who slid down the ropes temporarily.
Cite this Entry
“Shirked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shirked. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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