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 Heinrich sought to pass his own bill to force data centers to shoulder the costs of upgrading the electric grid, which Republicans blocked. — Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026 Ole Miss All-American running back Kewan Lacy was a game-time decision but didn’t play due to a shoulder injury, leaving Trinidad Chambliss — notably, a Heisman Trophy front-runner — to shoulder an offense that lacked explosiveness for stretches. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026 Advanced composite materials are highly durable, lightweight items formed by two or more distinct substances that are tightly bound and can shoulder tremendous weight and pressure. — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026 Many are shouldering economic hardship, exposure to adversity and discrimination, family responsibilities, uncertainty about the future and social pressures. — Crystal Cederna, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 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
  • AccuPoint does not charge an application fee or accept compensation from firms or any other parties for inclusion on the Financial Advisor 100 list.
    — Kelli Grant, CFP®,Riley de León, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Korean star Han Ji-min accepted The Hollywood Reporter’s Trailblazer Award at a glitzy gala high above Busan on Wednesday night, promising that her creative journey was only just beginning.
    — Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of accept
Verb
  • Bryan pushed back at the time, arguing that the song spoke to both sides of the aisle and urging fans not to let social media narratives divide them.
    — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Treasurer Erick Russell has also pushed changes designed to prevent active bank accounts from being wrongly classified as abandoned.
    — Mark Lewyn, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of push
Verb
  • The North Central Municipal Accident Reconstruction Team responded to the scene and assumed the investigation, police said.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
  • If RatHat does make it onto a device, do not assume deleting the app solves the problem.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of assume
Verb
  • Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, the bill’s author, said AB 1776 was needed to help small businesses that are being elbowed out by corporations.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Braves reliever Robert Suarez pitched for the first time since June 19 after being sidelined due to elbow inflammation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of elbow
Verb
  • Authorities said Garcia was born in Cuba and immigrated to the United States during his childhood.
    — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Instead, the island became self-sufficient, with the majority of residents managing their own farmland, with the island still bearing its patchwork quilt of stone walls and boundary lines.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of bear
Verb
  • But the highlight of the spa is the infinity-edge rock pool, squeezed into a canyon between towering rock walls, with views out over the valley beyond.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • It’s being squeezed by all sorts of forces, commercial forces, corporate forces, political forces.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • Each undertaken by expert staff with the assistance of essential oils and exceptional products.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The practice is also undertaking a multi-phase renovation of Hotel Cipriani in Venice, the renovation of a live music and performing arts venue in Athens and private residences worldwide.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of undertake

Phrases Containing shoulder

Browse Nearby Words

should
shoulder
shoulder bag
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoulder. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shoulder

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shoulder

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