1
as in avoided
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in neglected
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 sneaked
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 shirked
There is no question about his attitude or application; this is not a case of a player who has shirked responsibility or failed to work hard enough in training or in matches.
—
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Rudnev shirked money, power, and influence, of any kind.
—William Jones, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Importers are supposed to notify Cal Fire when a shipment arrives, but a Bee investigation found that the companies linked to the Esparto property shirked that requirement for years.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 22 Jan. 2026
In the court’s majority opinion, Justice Amy Coney Barrett forcefully pushed back against Jackson’s suggestion the court shirked on its duty to protect the people from government overreach.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 27 June 2025
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Rudnev shirked money, power, and influence, of any kind.
—William Jones, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Importers are supposed to notify Cal Fire when a shipment arrives, but a Bee investigation found that the companies linked to the Esparto property shirked that requirement for years.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 22 Jan. 2026
In the court’s majority opinion, Justice Amy Coney Barrett forcefully pushed back against Jackson’s suggestion the court shirked on its duty to protect the people from government overreach.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 27 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shirked
Verb
-
Given the importance of preserving relations with the FCC, which has a say over a range of local station matters and must approve any mergers involving the transfer of broadcast licenses, LeGeyt has deliberately avoided a direct clash with his Washington counterpart.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In Ukraine, Harry stepped into territory traditionally avoided by the royals.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Abused, neglected, abandoned pigs At Willeyville Farm, Houk and, Jones-Willey and other volunteers were recently caring for about 40 pigs, with the goal of finding them adoptive homes.—
Eric Adler
April 26,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
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They will also be checked by a veterinarian to ensure that they have not been neglected, Lynch said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The 76ers snuck into the playoffs after having some struggles all season.—
David Troy OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
My grandfather always snuck an extra few pounds into my fist with the wink of an eye.—
Emma Clarke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Garcia sprinted off exiting through a side entrance and evaded authorities until cops nabbed him on March 25, 2026.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Gutiérrez worries that Trump’s eagerness for a trophy that has evaded 12 Democratic and Republican presidents could get the better of him.—
Joshua Goodman,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But within the house, violence lurked like flammable gas.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The short answer is that a wide gulf exists between rumor and fact and Swalwell lurked in that gray space, living and thriving in the shadows between provability and denial.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Nearly a year after 10 inmates escaped a New Orleans jail through a hole in the wall, a special grand jury has indicted the local sheriff on criminal corruption and obstruction charges in connection with the biggest jailbreak in recent American history.—
Greg Hilburn,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Authorities said the 10 inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center in the early morning hours after climbing through a hole behind a toilet.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Escondido, which is sophomore-heavy, slipped to 4-17 overall, 1-7 in league play and has lost seven in a row.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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Arsenal’s biggest spike came in the 59th minute when Kai Havertz, slipped through by Martin Odegaard, fired straight into Gianluigi Donnarumma’s hulking frame from just outside the six-yard box.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Once outside, Nataliia slid into the back of an ambulance and was rushed to the nearest burn center.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
His 1-1 draw at Manchester City and 2-1 defeat away to Fulham four days later meant Chelsea slid from fifth to eighth in the Premier League table, two points outside the five Champions League places with almost half of their campaign still to play.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shirked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shirked. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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