shirker

[ shur-ker ]

noun

1. a person who evades work, duty, responsibility, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shirker¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; shirk + -er ¹

Example Sentences

They have been eager to add work provisions to safety-net programs, reviving the old trope that the poor are lazy or shirkers living off the dole, which couldn't be further from the truth.

From Salon

The perception that Medicaid is saturated with lazy shirkers is false.

From Washington Post

Cookie shirkers of the world, unite: Together, we can face unafraid the plans that we’ve made.

From Washington Post

"Rather than blanket mandates or unhelpful language about shirkers getting back to the office, employers have sensible conversations with the staff about how that return will happen," he added.

From BBC

Distrust "government," which taxes workers to support shirkers, illegal immigrants and high-living seniors depriving later generations of their future.

From Salon