shirk
verb (used with object)
to evade (work, duty, responsibility, etc.).
had shirked
-
past perfectof shirk.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
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
In it, Khan implied past regulators had shirked their duties and become too lax, saying, “Enforcers have to use discretion, but that doesn’t give us the right to ignore a central part of our mandate.”
From Slate ● Feb. 10, 2025
Mr Hague said that eradicating sexual violence was a responsibility the world, and men in particular, had shirked for too long.
From BBC ● Feb. 26, 2014
At one point, McGovern was forced to defend himself against assertions he had shirked combat.
From Salon ● Oct. 21, 2012
Addison and I saw just where we had shirked and where we had let temper and resentment influence us.
From A Busy Year at the Old Squire's by Stephens, C. A. (Charles Asbury)
