Synonyms of shoulder

shoulder

verb

1

as in to accept

to take to or upon oneself

agreed to shoulder the burden of caring for their elderly father

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accept
• assume
• bear
• undertake
• embrace
• take over
• back
• adopt
• take up
• stand by
• support
• advocate
• endorse
• consent
• acquiesce
• uphold
• accede
• agree
• assent
• espouse
• champion
• reassume
• reaccept

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• take back
• withdraw
• refuse
• disclaim
• repudiate
• turn down
• renounce
• retract
• disavow
• avoid
• reject
• disown
• decline
• refrain (from)
• spurn
• bypass
• abjure
• abstain (from)
• recant
• forbear
• relinquish
• detour
• give up
• surrender
• unsay
• abandon
• forsake
• back down
• back off
• backtrack
• abnegate

2

as in to push

to force one's way

shouldered through the crowd at the bar and ordered a drink

Synonyms & Similar Words

• push
• elbow
• squeeze
• muscle
• bull
• bore
• shove
• press
• crash
• jam
• thrust
• jostle
• bulldoze
• ram

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shoulder

The costs were particularly pronounced for employees at small businesses made up of 10 to 99 workers who typically shoulder a larger share of their insurance costs than those at bigger companies. — Fatima Hussein, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Golden State coach Natalie Nakase shouldered the blame for the defensive issues. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

Trump administration officials and allies are starting to debate who will shoulder the blame if Republicans perform poorly in November. — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026

According to the proposal, school districts will shoulder the costs for equipment, installation and shot clock operating. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing shoulder

• chip on one's shoulder
• cold shoulder

Video

When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

Editor Peter Sokolowski breaks down a number of body parts with metaphorical uses as verbs, from head to toe.

Transcript:

Many parts of the body can be used as verbs in either a physical or a metaphorical sense. You can head a company, but if things go wrong you'll have to shoulder the blame, or face your investors. A good leader backs their employees, but if you don't toe the line you might get skinned. Did you muscle your way into that job? You might eye someone suspiciously, or wait for the police to finger a suspect. But if you need to get out of town, try thumbing a ride. You can ride with me if you can stomach the thought. I don't always sing along to the radio, but you might see me mouthing the words.