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View synonyms for shirk

shirk

[ shurk ]

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

shirk

1

/ ʃɜːk /

verb

  1. to avoid discharging (work, a duty, etc); evade
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a person who shirks
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

shirk

2

/ 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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Words From

  • un·shirked adjective
  • un·shirking adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of shirk1

First recorded in 1625–35; obscurely akin to shark 2
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Word History and Origins

Origin of shirk1

C17: probably from German Schurke rogue; see shark ²

Origin of shirk2

from Arabic: association
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Example Sentences

De León denounced Feldstein Soto’s decision, saying she had “shirked her duty as a criminal prosecutor” by declining to pursue charges.

The more campaign postcards I wrote, the more I started to wonder: Who were these people shirking their civic duty?

With an audience of predominantly women on the airwaves and in the studio, he cultivated an aggressive and flashy style – interrogating guests on a variety of subjects, never shirking from controversy.

From Salon

"I think part of that was we were obviously trying to shirk traditional game design," says Will.

From BBC

He said previous Conservative governments had "shirked difficult decisions" on the NHS out of a fear of attacks from their opponents.

From BBC

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