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
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
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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The cubs were taught essential survival skills—including hunting and avoiding humans—to get ready to be reintroduced to the wild.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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The change also aligned with the WHO’s guidelines for naming diseases, which emphasize avoiding names that are offensive to cultural groups, or that negatively impact trade, tourism, or animal welfare.—
Dr. Nikki Romanik,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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Hundreds of young Moroccans took to the streets of at least 11 cities across the North African nation, denouncing corruption and blasting the government for pouring money into international sporting events while neglecting health and education.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At one point, after Paul has relapsed, Catt comes home and catches a woman sneaking out of their house.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
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Counihan said Robles rented a car and drove 35 hours over four to five days, sneaking Louie into motels along the way and documenting the entire journey.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This year’s skillshare in Philadelphia is slated to offer a series of hourlong workshops, including a lesson on evading law enforcement and eluding capture.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Oct. 2025
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Jackson was apprehended a short time later and arrested for evading arrest or detention, police said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Once Rubin’s data comes in, astronomers should gain a much sharper picture of whether the Kuiper Belt’s tilt points to additional planets lurking far beyond Neptune.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
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Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses.—
Real-Time News team,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After escaping prison in New Jersey in November 1979, Shakur lived in hiding for several years before being smuggled to Cuba, where Fidel Castro’s government granted her asylum in 1984.—
Essence,
Essence,
30 Sep. 2025
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Female students were praying separately and escaping from another part of the school.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ferrari is currently battling for the second spot in the Constructors' Championship with Red Bull and Mercedes, after slipping to third.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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The elastic waistband stretches to move with you, and the pants come with faux buttons to make slipping them on a breeze.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hydroplaning is the term for when a vehicle begins sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
28 Sep. 2025
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Hydroplaning is when a vehicle starts uncontrollably sliding on wet roads.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shirking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shirking. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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