shoulder

verb

Definition of shouldernext
1
as in to accept
to take to or upon oneself agreed to shoulder the burden of caring for their elderly father

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to push
to force one's way shouldered through the crowd at the bar and ordered a drink

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shoulder On message boards and on call-in shows, Lewis, who turned 19 late last month, has shouldered much of the blame. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026 But Redick said the team’s wing players could shoulder some of that burden. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 Billions of dollars are potentially at stake in a case out of Boulder, Colorado, where local officials say the industry should help shoulder the escalating costs of disasters linked to climate change. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026 The co-venture initially was a cost-saving measure designed to help CBS shoulder the cost of the rights. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shoulder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoulder
  1. accept
  2. push
  3. assume
  4. elbow
  5. bear
  6. squeeze
  7. undertake
Verb
  • Rather than accept his acclaim, a boozy Lee gets on stage and immediately tears into the crowd for being sellouts.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • All donations are tax-deductible and can be made through its online zakat-giving portal, which accepts recurring and one-time payments as high as $10,000 or amounts of one’s choosing.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of accept
Verb
  • Torrential rain has pushed all three waterways higher for days, spilling them over their banks in northeastern Argentina, southern Paraguay and western Uruguay.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Audit reports, supplier codes of conduct and corporate sustainability pledges have made up the bulk of brands’ efforts to push a more ecological and socially aware agenda, but times have changed.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of push
Verb
  • The film follows a Polish burglar who assumes the identity of a dead stranger’s girlfriend, with unexpected results.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026
  • And, of course, anyone who remembers the optimistic hordes streaming up Michigan Avenue after Barack Obama made his victory speech for president of the United States in Grant Park well knows the local benefits of a Chicagoan assuming the presidency.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of assume
Verb
  • After a long day zigzagging through Venice’s narrow streets, elbowing your way past crowds at every turn, arriving back in the historic Cannaregio district is a relief.
    — Mary Holland, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Interestingly, his first game for Argentina lasted just 47 seconds, as he was sent off for elbowing a defender in the face.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of elbow
Verb
  • Anyone born in 1960 or later must be 67 years old to be considered full retirement age, according to the Social Security Administration.
    — Mackenzie Chase, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Kumari plays Sahibjaan, born in a graveyard to a courtesan who was spurned by her husband’s aristocratic family.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of bear
Verb
  • Meta squeezes two independent light-guiding cores into a single standard glass strand to double its bandwidth.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Fuel expenses are squeezing daily household budgets and tightening cash flow toward the end of the month, with reports indicating a growing number of French employees are requesting payroll advances to manage month end expenses.
    — , CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • The apartment’s current owner, Adam Zoia, an executive in the recruiting industry, bought the apartment in 2021 and later undertook a two-year renovation.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Instead, Waymo has undertaken a somewhat manic effort to bring the public around.
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of undertake

Phrases Containing shoulder

Browse Nearby Words

should
shoulder
shoulder bag
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Cite this Entry

“Shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoulder. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shoulder

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shoulder

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