Shirker — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈshərk/

Meaning & Definition of Shirker

Shirker (verb)

  1. to go stealthily, sneak
  2. to evade the performance of an obligation
  3. avoid, evade

Shirker (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. one who deliberately avoids work or duty

    "even before we weighed anchor, the captain forcefully served notice that there would be no shirkers on his ship"

    similar: goldbrick, slacker
    related: malingerer, dropout, quitter, drone, idler, lazybones, loafer, slouch, slug, slugabed, sluggard, dallier, lingerer, loiterer, lounger, saunterer, dawdler, laggard, putterer, slowpoke
    near: live wire, pistol, powerhouse, doer, go-getter, hummer, hustler, self-starter

Related Entry: Shirk (verb)

Shirk is a different word from Shirker. The synonyms below are for shirk, not for shirker.

  1. to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery

    "you always try to shirk paying your fair share of the bill by claiming you forgot your wallet"

    similar: avoid, dodge, duck, elude, escape, eschew, evade, finesse, get around, scape, shake, shuffle (out of), shun, weasel (out of), fight shy of, keep clear of, stay clear of, steer clear of
    related: miss, avert, deflect, divert, obviate, parry, prevent, ward (off), ban, bar, debar, eliminate, except, exclude, preclude, rule out, bypass, circumvent, skirt, foil, fox, frustrate, outfox, outsmart, outwit, overreach, thwart
    near: accept, court, embrace, pursue, seek, welcome, catch, contract, incur

  2. to leave undone or unattended to especially through carelessness

    "a deadbeat who has been shirking his duty to his family for years"

    similar: forget, neglect
    related: slack (off)
    opposite: attend (to), remember
    near: carry out, do, execute, perform, accomplish, achieve, keep up, maintain

  3. to move about in a sly or secret manner

    "given the multitude of auditoriums at the multiplex, it's not too difficult for underaged kids to shirk into R-rated movies"

    similar: lurk, mooch, mouse, pussyfoot, skulk, slide, slink, slip, snake, sneak, steal
    related: crawl, creep, edge, inch, worm, ghost, pad, tiptoe

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Shirker

The most common words with a similar meaning to Shirker:

goldbrick, slacker

Related Words for Shirker

malingerer, dropout, quitter, drone, idler, lazybones, loafer, slouch, slug, slugabed, sluggard, dallier, lingerer, loiterer, lounger, saunterer, dawdler, laggard, putterer, slowpoke

Near Antonyms of Shirker

live wire, pistol, powerhouse, doer, go-getter, hummer, hustler, self-starter

Word Forms of Shirker

Inflections: shirked, shirking, shirks

Derived words: shirker (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Shirker

origin unknown

First known use: 1681i

Frequently Asked Questions about Shirker

What does "Shirker" mean?

"Shirker" means to go stealthily, sneak. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to go stealthily, sneak.

What is another word for "Shirker"?

Other words for "Shirker" include goldbrick and slacker. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Shirker" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Shirker"?

There are 22 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Shirker". Common alternatives include goldbrick and slacker.

How do you use "Shirker" in a sentence?

Examples of "Shirker" in a sentence: "even before we weighed anchor, the captain forcefully served notice that there would be no shirkers on his ship".

Is "Shirker" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Shirker" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Shirker"?

"Shirker" is pronounced /ˈshərk/.

What is the origin of the word "Shirker"?

"Shirker" comes from origin unknown. First known use: 1681i.

What is another word for "Shirker" meaning "one who deliberately avoids work or duty"?

When "Shirker" (noun) means one who deliberately avoids work or duty, synonyms include goldbrick and slacker.