SHIRK Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

shirk

verb

ˈshərk

Definition of shirk

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of shirk Nick, desperate to return to the present, shirks the doting parents and brother who long to comfort him. — Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 17 June 2026 In the meantime, each of the three companies is shirking blame. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 June 2026 And Macy’s is still doing those in New York City this summer, so nobody’s shirking on the fireworks. — Paige Darrah, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 May 2026 Men don’t shirk family responsibilities. — Sean Gregory, Time, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for shirk

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shirk

Verb

The second, Kiyosaki’s actual father, served as an example of what to avoid.

— Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
When Mica went to her sister Sierra’s home to avoid these situations, Miller allegedly threatened to show up at the house armed.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of avoid

Verb

The recent transformation has breathed new life into the space, elevating it from neglected to polished while preserving its architectural roots.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
As the years pass, the children start learning to play the dusty piano that had been neglected in their abundant lives.

— Solitaire Townsend, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of neglect

Verb

Those risks include scenarios in which AI could help create chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, autonomously carry out serious cyberattacks, or evade human control.

— Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
The father-daughter duo has set up shop ensconced in the woods, herding donkeys and so far evading the violence closing in on them from the outside.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of evade

Verb

Country queen and national treasure Dolly Parton may have physically left the world on Tuesday, but her indelible mark on the world and the industry will never be forgotten.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
The Benedict Canyon property is an important part of the novel that has already been forgotten here.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of forget

Verb

Police are investigating a rash of incidents involving people sneaking out of sewers.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
And new species join the party regularly, as bad pet owners release their charges into the wild or stowaways sneak in from far-off countries.

— Alex Harris August 25, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of sneak

Verb

Nuclear Children follows 18-year-old Isla Sparrow who, after the death of her father in a submarine accident, hopes to escape her grieving family and flee to university.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
Messick escaped further damage by striking out Jose Siri and getting Campero to pop out.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of escape

Browse Nearby Words

shipyards

shirk

shirked

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“Shirk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shirk. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of shirk

verb

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