1
as in avoiding
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 neglecting
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 sneaking
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 shirking
By shirking their duty to maintain order and protect agents, these local officials endanger lives and undermine national security.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2026
Wife Swap explains this as Emily shirking her stay-at-home-mom responsibilities by ending up on a TV show.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
Her dissent argues that the Court is shirking its duty to clarify constitutional law in capital cases, where individuals’ lives are on the line.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
All that seemed to be undone in an instant when Cristhian Mosquera’s sloppy backpass was followed by Gabriel shirking his defensive responsibilities, allowing Nick Woltemade to head home.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
By shirking the Democratic brand, Osborn has a shot at winning his race, as Cockburn points out, and may offer a model for other candidates attempting to dethrone Republicans in rural red states.
—Harpers Magazine, 19 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
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2026
Wife Swap explains this as Emily shirking her stay-at-home-mom responsibilities by ending up on a TV show.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
Her dissent argues that the Court is shirking its duty to clarify constitutional law in capital cases, where individuals’ lives are on the line.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
All that seemed to be undone in an instant when Cristhian Mosquera’s sloppy backpass was followed by Gabriel shirking his defensive responsibilities, allowing Nick Woltemade to head home.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
By shirking the Democratic brand, Osborn has a shot at winning his race, as Cockburn points out, and may offer a model for other candidates attempting to dethrone Republicans in rural red states.
—Harpers Magazine, 19 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shirking
Verb
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The suspect was identified as 40-year-old Fabian Leon, who was later charged with simple battery and avoiding security measures, the outlet said.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Lessons from 1,000 Deals — Price Pritchett A practitioner’s guide to avoiding integration missteps, based on patterns observed across hundreds of real-world transactions.—
Jennifer J. Fondrevay,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Her father, Will (Harmon Walsh), has focused on promoting and supporting the ice skating prospects of Adriana’s older sister, Elise (Alexandra Beaton), while neglecting rising bills, maintenance costs, and declining attendance—creating the conditions that threaten the rink’s future.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
22 Jan. 2026
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Recently, the governor released his budget for the year, once again neglecting to allocate meaningful funding for Proposition 36.—
Mike Hestrin,
Oc Register,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That feature has since been covered over with concrete, so don’t get any funny ideas about sneaking into the palace after hours.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Of course, after a while the thrill of getting caught fades, and sneaking around becomes deeply sad rather than sexy.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Shares of the Turkish state lender Halk Bankasi AS tumbled on Wednesday following the adjournment of a court status conference in the US related to charges of evading sanctions on Iran.—
Beril Akman,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
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In July 2025, Mouton was reportedly arrested and charged with felon in possession of a weapon, evading arrest and drug possession.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For Mitchell, the key was subtly introducing clues into the environment that hinted at the darkness lurking beneath the surface.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
28 Jan. 2026
-
But because of the below-freezing temperatures, there may still be patches of ice lurking.—
Morayo Ogunbayo,
AJC.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There will be little escaping the cold over the next week, while outside, temperatures most mornings dip to 0° or below.—
Ron Smiley,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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The hot-button epic, which premiered in Toronto, follows a young man named Yusuf who gets caught up in political upheaval as tensions rise in Jerusalem and his village amid British crackdowns prompted by the arrival of Jewish immigrants escaping antisemitism in Europe.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The insoles mold comfortably to your foot, and the rubber outsoles keep slipping and sliding at bay.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
28 Jan. 2026
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Plus, this 100-piece velvet set prevents tops from slipping off.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The defender remained upfield after a corner kick, sliding into position inside the 6-yard box to bang home a cross from Emma Sears with her left foot.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
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After receiving no response from inside the home, the SWAT team deployed a smaller armored vehicle known as a Rook to break down a side fence and enter the home through a sliding glass door.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shirking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shirking. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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