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

Relevance

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
  • Mockingbird works to push Vietnamese and Southeast Asian films into markets outside their home territories.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The Tarrant County Commissioners Court agenda for Tuesday notably does not include the resolution, but Lawrence said the group will keep pushing for the resolution through public comment.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of push
Verb
  • But do not automatically assume the least expensive option is right for you.
    — Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Those numbers assume the S&P 500 returns more than 10% a year without interruption for 55 years.
    — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 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
  • 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 in recent years, the shows have become money losers and the network TV business — faced with a decline in viewers that is squeezing profits — are cutting them loose.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • However, rising costs for housing, food, fuel and insurance coupled with cooling employment rends and the lowest consumer sentiment in a decade is squeezing discretionary spending.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 12 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 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on shoulder

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shoulder

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All