shoulder

verb

Definition of shouldernext
1
as in to accept
to take to or upon oneself agreed to shoulder the burden of caring for their elderly father

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to push
to force one's way shouldered through the crowd at the bar and ordered a drink

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 shoulder Neighborhoods like Fordham in the Bronx and East New York in Brooklyn are asked to shoulder the city’s housing needs, while large portions of Manhattan and Northeast Queens are largely off the hook. — David Schwartz, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026 Labor groups say workers should not be forced to shoulder those pressures. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026 But finding a role for a fifth linebacker on the team, specifically when everyone besides Devin Lloyd will have to shoulder at least a little special teams responsibilities, can be difficult. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2026 Yuba-Sutter grower Rob Bains has a land development and custom farm work business and is shouldering hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs for former Del Monte farmers until they get paid through the tree pull program. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shoulder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoulder
  1. accept
  2. push
  3. assume
  4. elbow
  5. bear
  6. squeeze
  7. undertake
Verb
  • How is this affecting all those people who felt seen and accepted by growing inclusivity?
    — Marti Noxon, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Immigration officials did not accept the letters, according to the group.
    — Drew Aunkst, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of accept
Verb
  • Adebo could still push Banks, while Phillips has secured the slot job.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • That more than doubled its stock, pushing its market cap above $9 billion, adding to the bottom line of Thrive and Kushner, who is vice chairman and has personal holdings.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of push
Verb
  • Goldman’s model assumes SMIC will add between 30,000 and 50,000 advanced-node wafers in monthly capacity each year from 2026 through 2031.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Golden Tempo, meanwhile, assumed his position near the back of the field as his deep closing style has delivered huge glory in the past.
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of assume
Verb
  • Her elbow-and-punch combination to finish Yan Xiaonan was epic.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Rodón, meanwhile, is only two starts removed from the IL after suffering elbow inflammation.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of elbow
Verb
  • Two beloved entertainment icons, born just three months apart in 1946, died at the same age on the same day.
    — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The actor was born Timothy James Curry in Grappenhall, England, to a Royal Navy chaplain and a school secretary on April 19, 1946.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of bear
Verb
  • These portable, lightweight bands squeeze easily into a suitcase and can be used to add resistance to body weight exercises.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Job seekers in South Florida are navigating a tricky mix of stubborn inflation, high interest rates and an AI shift that’s squeezing entry-level hiring.
    — Jessica Lipscomb, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • Santa Fe reconstruction timeline The reconstruction of Santa Fe has been touted as the largest project the city has undertaken.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Ryan undertook extensive restoration work after acquiring Castleton, modernizing the home without sacrificing its historic character.
    — Mark David, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of undertake

Phrases Containing shoulder

Browse Nearby Words

should
shoulder
shoulder bag
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoulder. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shoulder

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shoulder

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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