1
as in to avoid
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to neglect
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 to lurk
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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of shirk
If college presidents get a pass, then why shouldn’t all institutional leaders in democratic society shirk their duties?
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Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 19 Oct. 2024
To our national shame, Labour, like the Tories before it, looks set to shirk the biggest fiscal challenge facing Britain today: fixing social care, which has been in a mess for decades.
—The Week, theweek, 22 Sep. 2024
In each of these activities, the individual’s incentive is to shirk.
—John C. Goodman, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024
Zoom out: Despite calls from members of their party to stop circulating the rumors and consistent reports that the claims were false, the GOP ticket doubled down and has since repeatedly shirked blame for the threats to Springfield that have ensued.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shirk 
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 19 Oct. 2024
To our national shame, Labour, like the Tories before it, looks set to shirk the biggest fiscal challenge facing Britain today: fixing social care, which has been in a mess for decades.
—The Week, theweek, 22 Sep. 2024
In each of these activities, the individual’s incentive is to shirk.
—John C. Goodman, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024
Zoom out: Despite calls from members of their party to stop circulating the rumors and consistent reports that the claims were false, the GOP ticket doubled down and has since repeatedly shirked blame for the threats to Springfield that have ensued.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shirk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shirk
Verb
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These things make Istanbul a great place to get high-quality hair transplants at low prices, but patients need to be careful to avoid secret risks.Ethan Stone, Journal Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024
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But the only surefire way to avoid sickness from airplane food is not to eat it.Justin Klawans, theweek, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The pair had lived a high-octane life on the road, hopping from city to city, partying, neglecting themselves but putting on bigger and better shows.Thomas Smith, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2024
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Pretty much anytime Miguel feels hurt or neglected by Johnny, then the two come back together, it’s guaranteed to work on me.Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
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When set up side by side without a perfectionist producer lurking in the studio, however, both aesthetics relax, the lyrics freed of their intensity when placed in fresh, buoy-ant atmospheres.Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2024
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Roman Emperor Titus is thought to have orchestrated these mock sea battles, but certainly not with any sea creatures lurking beneath the surface.Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Fintechs should not be able to evade their responsibilities for protecting consumers (caveat emptor makes no sense in the social media era) but neither should one set of marketplace participants be made to bear full responsibility for frauds that are not their fault.David G.W. Birch, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
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Prosecutors allege Combs tried to evade law enforcement monitoring by using several techniques, including three-way calling, to contact witnesses.Kara Scannell, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The rest is dumped, burned, or forgotten—particularly in rich countries, where most people have no convenient way to get rid of their old Samsung Galaxy phones, Xbox controllers, and myriad other gadgets.Vince Beiser, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024
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Don't forget to use the code THANKS10 for an extra 10 percent off at checkout.Susan Brickell, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2024
Verb
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While his family makes dinner and festive snacks, the young boy sneaks food and brings a dish to his neighbor's doorstep.Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 13 Nov. 2024
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Devin Williams received back-to-back sentences of 25 years to life in prison for the fatal shootings of Maria and Benison Tran, who were shot at near point-blank range after Williams snuck into their Dublin home and confronted them in a fit of jealous rage.Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Daydreaming of buying a plot of land and a tiny home to escape the hustle and bustle this holiday season?Kaitlin Gates, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2024
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Plagued by production delays and a series of high-profile recalls, Tesla's boldest creation has not escaped criticism from industry analysts and consumers.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024
Verb
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In a week that controversy surrounding Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story was generating headlines aplenty for Netflix, an old British show quietly slipped into the streamer’s UK top 10, neatly demonstrating something of a 2024 viewing trend.Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Nov. 2024
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Plus, unlike loafers that have zippers, ties, and buckles, these are a breeze to slip on.Jamie Fischer, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near shirk
Cite this Entry
“Shirk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shirk. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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