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
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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
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
The acrimony between the two camps is seen on social media and in everyday conversations, where calls for showing compassion to the Gazans are met with accusations of naivete, hypocrisy and shirking responsibilities to fellow Jews.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
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
The acrimony between the two camps is seen on social media and in everyday conversations, where calls for showing compassion to the Gazans are met with accusations of naivete, hypocrisy and shirking responsibilities to fellow Jews.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shirking
Verb
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Experts recommend gradually shifting your sleep schedule by 15 minutes each week, avoiding caffeine and screen time close to bedtime, and exercising regularly to manage stress.—
Claire Bugos,
Verywell Health,
8 Oct. 2025
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The freezing of the reform could open a potential path for negotiations with the Socialist Party with the aim of avoiding a dissolution of parliament.—
Charlotte Reed,
CNBC,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Leaders often overemphasize vision while neglecting those details.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
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This includes leaves, acorns, seed pods, twigs, and even fallen branches, unless your neighbor was neglecting a diseased and rotting tree.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After noticing Atlas sometimes got upset when their dad dropped them off at school, Aveline began sneaking into his room each morning after Kay laid out his clothes.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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From running errands to sneaking in gym sessions, these walking shoes remained extremely supportive and comfortable throughout, especially for those with low arches and overpronation.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As part of these reforms, the Royal Navy impounded dozens of merchant vessels for allegedly evading customs duties, enraging merchants as well as mariners, shipwrights, stevedores, and others in port cities whose livelihoods depended on foreign commerce.—
Time,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
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Concerns erupted immediately after Sora videos were created last week featuring everything from James Bond playing poker with Altman to body cam footage of cartoon character Mario evading the police.—
Jaures Yip,
CNBC,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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However, Zandi still sees a precarious situation with many risks lurking that could flip the economy.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Scientists peered at the lurking animal — and discovered a new species.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Los Angeles took Game 1 last night after escaping a bases loaded jam in the 9th inning.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
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Authorities added that the suspect also attempted to stab a fourth person before escaping.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While Google still dominates the search market and has taken steps to integrate AI into the search experience, its market share has been slipping.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
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Was the recent dip just a bump in the road or a sign that one of college football’s most prestigious programs is slipping?—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle starts sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
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Right tackle Andrew Wylie, with Cosmi sliding over to help, took defensive lineman Jacob Martin.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shirking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shirking. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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