Synonyms of shouldering

shouldering

verb

present participle of shoulder

1

as in accepting

to take to or upon oneself

agreed to shoulder the burden of caring for their elderly father

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accepting
• assuming
• bearing
• undertaking
• embracing
• taking over
• adopting
• advocating
• supporting
• endorsing
• upholding
• championing
• backing
• acquiescing
• assenting
• acceding
• agreeing
• taking up
• consenting
• standing by
• espousing
• reassuming
• reaccepting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• withdrawing
• disclaiming
• repudiating
• refusing
• renouncing
• disavowing
• disowning
• rejecting
• retracting
• avoiding
• declining
• spurning
• taking back
• abjuring
• turning down
• recanting
• abandoning
• bypassing
• relinquishing
• refraining (from)
• forsaking
• abstaining (from)
• forbearing
• surrendering
• detouring
• giving up
• unsaying
• backing off
• backing down
• backtracking
• abnegating

2

as in pushing

to force one's way

shouldered through the crowd at the bar and ordered a drink

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pushing
• squeezing
• shoving
• elbowing
• pressing
• jostling
• jamming
• crashing
• bulldozing
• muscling
• thrusting
• boring
• bulling
• ramming

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shouldering

As case counts surged in the initial months of the outbreak, population and demographic data revealed who was shouldering the greatest burdens. — Julie Morita, Time, 25 Oct. 2026

But with Miami-Dade shouldering most of the long-term costs, Levine Cava’s support is a vital piece of the political puzzle Brightline and its allies are trying to assemble to make the project a reality. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

However, desperate to enjoy all the benefits of her unconventional and self-serving situation, without shouldering any of the blame, Uta proposes that Morio be the donor for Junna’s child, and that all three of them move in together. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Many are shouldering economic hardship, exposure to adversity and discrimination, family responsibilities, uncertainty about the future and social pressures. — Crystal Cederna, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026

Lilly died on January 25, leaving her father to grieve her loss while shouldering a mission to spread awareness about the cancer that took his daughter’s life. — Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Even so, the increase in borrowing costs comes as Americans are shouldering higher costs for gas, food and other essentials. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Meanwhile, Miller had his lowest points output (53) in the last five years and worst points-per-game average in the last seven while shouldering the burden of his new captain responsibilities. — Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Agache said that the fundraiser was created so the couple could focus on grieving their daughter and honoring her life without shouldering all of the financial costs that followed her unexpected death. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026