shirker
/'ʃə:kə/
Definition
Noun: A person who deliberately avoids work, duty, or responsibility. The term often implies laziness, evasion, or a lack of commitment, particularly in contexts where effort or service is expected or required.
Usage
The word "shirker" is used to label someone who avoids their obligations. It carries a negative, disapproving connotation and is often used in formal, workplace, or military contexts to criticize a person's character or work ethic. - It is a countable noun (e.g., a shirker, two shirkers). - It is typically used as a predicate noun or a direct object.
Examples
- As a predicate noun:
- He was labeled a shirker by his teammates for never attending practice.
- During the group project, she was seen as the shirker because she contributed nothing.
- As a direct object:
- The manager fired the shirker for consistently missing deadlines.
- The sergeant had no tolerance for shirkers in his unit.
Advanced Usage
- "No room for shirkers": A common phrase used in teams or organizations to emphasize that lazy or uncommitted people are not welcome.
- This startup is fast-paced; there's no room for shirkers here.
- "Chronic shirker": Used to describe someone who habitually and persistently avoids work.
- The department's productivity improved after the chronic shirker was let go.
Variants and Related Words
- Shirk (verb): To avoid or neglect (a duty or responsibility).
- He tends to shirk his household chores.
- Shirking (gerund/noun): The act of avoiding work or duty.
- Shirking of responsibilities will not be tolerated.
Synonyms
- Slacker: A person who avoids work or effort. (Very close in meaning, but can sound slightly more informal.)
- Idler: A person who spends time doing nothing.
- Malingerer: A person who pretends to be ill to avoid duty or work. (More specific, often used in military or medical contexts.)
- Goldbrick (informal, chiefly US): A person who shirks assigned work.
Antonyms
- Hard worker
- Diligent person
- Go-getter (informal)
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To shirk one's duty/responsibility: The standard verb phrase from which "shirker" is derived.
- He was accused of shirking his duty as a citizen.
Noun
-
a person who shirks his work or duty (especially one who tries to evade military service in wartime)
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