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shirk

[ shurk ]

/ ʃɜrk /

verb (used with object)

to evade (work, duty, responsibility, etc.).

verb (used without object)

to evade work, duty, etc.

noun

a shirker.

Origin of shirk

First recorded in 1625–35; obscurely akin to shark²

SYNONYMS FOR shirk

1 shun, avoid, dodge.

OTHER WORDS FROM shirk

un·shirked, adjective un·shirk·ing, adjective

Words nearby shirk

shiraz, shire, shire highlands, shire horse, shirer, shirk, shirker, shirleen, shirley, shirley poppy, shirley temple

Example sentences from the Web for shirked

“He did not trust his slaves and regularly complained that they shirked work, stole supplies, and broke tools,” writes Larson.

Washington’s Wheeler-Dealer Patriotism |William O’Connor |October 31, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
I shirked duty in pursuit of a good sleep, incurring her wrath this morning.

Is Sleeping Apart Good for Your Relationship? |Tim Teeman |August 20, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Beyer grew up in New York City, but she may have shirked any remnants of the accent after moving to Maryland.

It’s Trans vs. Gay in This Maryland Election |Gideon Resnick |June 24, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Over the past twenty years, in short, the state of Israel has shirked its responsibilities.

Seeing It For Myself: Injustice In The South Hebron Hills |Rachel Cohen |July 2, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

If he had been alive I am certain he would not have shirked his duty.

Yule Logs |Various
Not one was shirked, though their delivery, before a large audience, was a most exhausting duty.

Character |Samuel Smiles
She had not shirked her duty, she was safe from temptation, and she had after all a sincere, half-pitying tenderness for the man.

The Long Portage |Harold Bindloss
I've done my work here on this farm, an' I haven't ever shirked.

Destiny |Charles Neville Buck
John Ellwell shirked then; it was not much to do to go to the front.

The Man Who Wins |Robert Herrick

British Dictionary definitions for shirked (1 of 2)

shirk ¹

/ (ʃɜːk) /

verb

to avoid discharging (work, a duty, etc); evade

noun Also: shirker

a person who shirks

Word Origin for shirk

C17: probably from German Schurke rogue; see shark ²

British Dictionary definitions for shirked (2 of 2)

shirk ²

/ (ʃɪːk) /

noun

Islam

the fundamental sin of regarding anything as equal to Allah
any belief that is considered to be in opposition to Allah and Islam

Word Origin for shirk

from Arabic: association