What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

What is the difference between shirk and shrink?

shirk | shrink | Synonyms |

Shrink is a synonym of shirk.



In transitive terms the difference between shirk and shrink

is that shirk is to avoid, especially a duty, responsibility, etc.; to stay away from while shrink is to draw back; to withdraw.

In intransitive terms the difference between shirk and shrink

is that shirk is to evade an obligation; to avoid the performance of duty, as by running away while shrink is to cower or flinch.

shirk

English

Etymology 1

First attested use in 1625 – 1635, apparently from association with shark (verb form), or from (etyl) .

Verb

(en verb)
  • To avoid, especially a duty, responsibility, etc.; to stay away from.
  • * Hare
    • the usual makeshift by which they try to shirk difficulties
  • To evade an obligation; to avoid the performance of duty, as by running away.
    • If you have a job, don't shirk from it by staying off work.
  • * Byron
    • One of the cities shirked from the league.
  • To procure by petty fraud and trickery; to obtain by mean solicitation.
  • * Bishop Rainbow
    • You that never heard the call of any vocation, that shirk living from others, but time from yourselves.
    Synonyms
    * blow off (US) * goldbrick (dated)
    See also
    * malinger

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • one who shirks

    • Etymology 2

    (etyl) (širk , "idolatry").

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (Islam) the unforgivable sin of idolatry

    • References

    English heteronyms

    shrink

    English

    Verb

  • To cause to become smaller.
    • The dryer shrank my sweater.
  • To become smaller; to contract.
    • This garment will shrink when wet.
  • * Francis Bacon
    • I have not found that water, by mixture of ashes, will shrink or draw into less room.
  • * Dryden
    • And shrink like parchment in consuming fire.
  • To cower or flinch.
    • Molly shrank away from the blows of the whip.
  • To draw back; to withdraw.
  • * Milton
    • The Libya Hammon shrinks his horn.
  • (figuratively) To withdraw or retire, as from danger.
  • * Alexander Pope
    • What happier natures shrink at with affright, / The hard inhabitant contends is right.
  • * Jowett (Thucyd.)
    • They assisted us against the Thebans when you shrank from the task.

    Synonyms

    * (avoid an unwanted task) funk, shirk

    Antonyms

    * (to cause to become smaller) expand, grow, enlarge, stretch * (become smaller) expand, grow, enlarge, stretch

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • shrinkage; contraction; recoil
    • Yet almost wish, with sudden shrink , / That I had less to praise. — Leigh Hunt.
  • (slang, sometimes, pejorative) A psychiatrist or therapist; a head-shrinker.
    • You need to see a shrink .
    My shrink said that he was an enabler, bad for me.
  • * 1994 , (Green Day),
    • I went to a shrink , to analyze my dreams. He said it's lack of sex that's bringing my down.''

    Usage notes

    * The slang sense was originally pejorative, expressing a distrust of practitioners in the field. It is now not as belittling or trivializing.

    Synonyms

    * head-shrinker