Synonyms of shoulders

shoulders

verb

present tense third-person singular of shoulder

1

as in assumes

to take to or upon oneself

agreed to shoulder the burden of caring for their elderly father

Synonyms & Similar Words

• assumes
• accepts
• bears
• undertakes
• embraces
• takes over
• backs
• adopts
• advocates
• stands by
• champions
• supports
• takes up
• endorses
• upholds
• consents
• agrees
• espouses
• acquiesces
• assents
• accedes
• reassumes
• reaccepts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuses
• disclaims
• withdraws
• repudiates
• turns down
• disavows
• retracts
• disowns
• takes back
• rejects
• renounces
• declines
• abjures
• avoids
• spurns
• recants
• refrains (from)
• abstains (from)
• bypasses
• unsays
• relinquishes
• forbears
• detours
• forsakes
• gives up
• backs off
• backs down
• abandons
• surrenders
• backtracks
• abnegates

2

as in pushes

to force one's way

shouldered through the crowd at the bar and ordered a drink

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pushes
• elbows
• squeezes
• muscles
• bulls
• presses
• jams
• shoves
• bores
• crashes
• jostles
• thrusts
• bulldozes
• rams

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shoulders

Mary Amiti, Sebastian Heise and David Weinstein looked at who shoulders the cost of the tariffs, examining which part of the tariff reaches consumers through higher prices versus which share of the price hike is due to other factors. — Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2026

Elordi nearly shoulders the running time but plays his Hig a bit too humbly. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

There are also fears the plan may spark a lawsuit as tensions between the states over who shoulders the cuts bubble over. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Ashley Christopher, an attorney and Howard alumna whose son is a sophomore there, thinks Howard shoulders some blame. — Matt Brown, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026

Maja witnessing her parents’ difficulties, quickly learns Danish and consequently shoulders the responsibility of an adult to support them. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026

In the run-up to the summit, Erdogan described Turkey as a reliable ally that consistently shoulders responsibility on NATO’s southeastern flank and will continue to play a leading role in the alliance. — ABC News, 1 July 2026

The least productive line of the four against Minnesota was the second unit, but that trio also shoulders significant defensive responsibilities. — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 20 May 2026

Cunningham shoulders the weight of a city thirsty for meaningful basketball. — Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026

Phrases Containing shoulders

• head and shoulders
• rub shoulders (with)
• rub shoulders