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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The Weight of Unseen Labor Black women have historically shouldered disproportionate burdens both professionally and personally, often acting as caretakers, community builders, and advocates—roles that can compound stress.
—
Jasmine Browley, Essence, 2 June 2025
Adam, who was charged with two unearned runs, took the loss and shouldered the blame.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
Besides shouldering responsibility as the main antagonist, which involves risky stunts opposite veteran adventurer Cruise, Morales also made franchise history as the first Latino lead in the action series.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
Younger Mainers might end up shouldering the weight of property taxes, especially considering that the Pine Tree State's population is the oldest in the nation, with nearly a quarter of its population over the age of 65, according to a 2024 report by the State Economist of Maine.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shoulder
Jasmine Browley, Essence, 2 June 2025
Adam, who was charged with two unearned runs, took the loss and shouldered the blame.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
Besides shouldering responsibility as the main antagonist, which involves risky stunts opposite veteran adventurer Cruise, Morales also made franchise history as the first Latino lead in the action series.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
Younger Mainers might end up shouldering the weight of property taxes, especially considering that the Pine Tree State's population is the oldest in the nation, with nearly a quarter of its population over the age of 65, according to a 2024 report by the State Economist of Maine.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shoulder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoulder
Verb
-
Ryan Bos, who has been executive director of DC’s Capital Pride Alliance since 2011, was thrilled when the group’s bid to host WorldPride was accepted in 2022.—
Susan Miller,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
-
The two women had the criminal charges against them dropped at a court hearing last month, in which the prosecution accepted they had been duped and Emmanuel-Thomas changed his plea to guilty.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2025
-
Just as Naomi’s victory was widely expected, so was that of Rollins, the lone star in the bout who is consistently pushed as a main eventer.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
Sponsors may assume their site partners are ready, only to discover costly delays during study startup.—
Sonali Bloom,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
For present purposes, the Court can assume (as seems likely) that Congress intended to preclude the President (or any subordinate officials acting at his direction) from directing, supervising, or controlling the Corporation.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
Taneja’s outsider status was apparent when he was elbowed out of an early Snap investment by Valley vets.—
Iain Martin,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
-
The Day of the Jackal and The Agency, by contrast, feel like studios elbowing back (via Peacock and Showtime/Paramount+).—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 May 2025
Verb
-
Barnett scheduled a meeting with those who responded to his ad and ACT-UP/KC was born. ACT-UP/KC’s first major protest took place in the fall of 1988 when the organization targeted Circle K by picketing their local convenience stores.—
Patrick Salland,
Kansas City Star,
5 June 2025
-
Neither case is directly about the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
In some towns, utility poles were removed so the caravans could squeeze through.—
Angela Jackson,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
-
Hundreds of people squeezed into the Jewish Community Center in Boulder, Colo., for a vigil that featured prayer, singing and emotional testimony from a victim and witnesses of the firebombing attack in the city’s downtown, after a federal judge blocked the deportation of the suspect’s family.—
Colleen Slevin,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
North Korea undertook its own surveys, with the help of Zainichi and Japanese visitors.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
-
During talent identification camps, participants undertake combine-style drills and flag activities.—
Peter Carline,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Cite this Entry
“Shoulder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoulder. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share