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.
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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.
A 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 ● Sep. 2, 2026
“Rather than implement industry-standard detection tools used by its peers, Apple repeatedly shirked their responsibility to protect children under the guise of user privacy,” the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 19, 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 Thursday — on Opening Day! — the state auditor’s office is scheduled to release a report that could say whether the team has shirked its maintenance responsibilities at Angel Stadium.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 24, 2025
But as soon as a certain novelty and pleasure in emotion ceased the feeling itself was shirked, at whatever expense to others.
From Diana Tempest, Volume I (of 3) by Mary Cholmondeley
