shirk

American  

[shurk] / ʃɜrk /

verb (used with object)

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

   Synonyms:

   dodge, avoid, shun

---

verb (used without object)

1. to evade work, duty, etc.

noun

1. a shirker.

shirk ¹ British  

/ ʃɪːk /

noun

1. Islam

   1. the fundamental sin of regarding anything as equal to Allah

   2. any belief that is considered to be in opposition to Allah and Islam

---

shirk ² British  

/ ʃɜːk /

verb

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

---

noun

1. a person who shirks

Other Word Forms

• unshirked adjective
• unshirking adjective

Etymology

Origin of shirk

First recorded in 1625–35; obscurely akin to shark ²

Example Sentences

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

“Once an artificial intelligence weapon system produces safety hazards, the ‘algorithm black box’ may become a rationalized excuse for the relevant responsible parties to shirk responsibility,” he wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal

Later, in remarks made to a gathering of supporters and broadcast on state television, Khamenei reiterated the message, saying Iran "will not shirk from dealing with destructive elements".

From BBC

There’s a spiritual community that uses spirituality to shirk responsibility.

From Los Angeles Times

Courts can step in, he said, only if prosecutors have bad-faith reasons for such decisions, such as taking bribes or wanting to shirk their work.

From The Wall Street Journal