shirk

Meaning

Verb

1. To avoid, especially a duty, responsibility, etc.; to stay away from.
2. To evade an obligation; to avoid the performance of duty, as by running away.
3. To procure by petty fraud and trickery; to obtain by mean solicitation.

Noun

One who shirks, who avoids a duty or responsibility.

Noun

The unforgivable sin of association [of something with God].

Synonyms

avoid

evade

dodge

elude

avert

steer clear of

escape

sidestep

duck

🦆

shrink from

circumvent

run away

sneak

shun

fiddle

eschew

neglect

skate over

idle

cheat

loaf

fear

😨

dread

goldbrick

slack

expel

retreat

shift

skirt

skive

skulk

stalk

stall

stand back

stay away

tergiversate

wriggle

yield

bludge

endeavor not to meet

excuse oneself

hide oneself

keep away from

keep clear of

make excuses

refrain from

shrug off

swing the lead

be off one’s guard

refuse to admit

shy away from

have easy time

abstain from

run away to evade

adorn

back out

bedeck

beware

chicken out

creep

decline

decorate

demur

do

embellish

equivocate

fend off

fink

forbear

give up

keep off

malinger

miss

ornament

parry

prevaricate

put off

raise up

retire

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ʃɜːk/

Etymology

First attested use in 1625–1635, apparently from association with shark (verb), or otherwise directly from German Schurke (“rogue, knave”).