shirk
verb (used with object)
to evade (work, duty, responsibility, etc.).
shirked
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past participleof shirk.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
-
past tense formof shirk.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
shirkverb (used with object)to evade (work, duty, responsibility, etc.).
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For decades, the city shirked on contributions to pension funds for police officers, firefighters and city employees, leaving them severely underfunded.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
The 437-page report written by a panel of three judges in 2021 found that the state had shirked its duty to protect Caruana Galizia and subjected her to personal attacks and verbal abuse from politicians.
From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026
But when one vice signals, the out-group’s values take center stage — in order to be shirked rather than lived up to.
From Salon ● Jan. 29, 2026
On the other hand, England under Stokes and McCullum have not shirked big selection decisions.
From BBC ● May 29, 2025
She generally advised her brother in family problems that he would have shirked, had it not been for his sister.
From Polly and Her Friends Abroad by Lillian Elizabeth Roy
