1
as in to ignore
to dismiss as of little importance
an administration that was willing to shrug off the problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to remove
to rid oneself of (a garment)
she shrugged off her coat and hung it up neatly
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 shrug off
But Oren Cass of American Compass shrugged off the potential consumer hit that tariffs pose in a recent WSJ interview, noting that only 15% of our GDP even comes from imports.
—
Kelly Evans, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025
Russian officials have shrugged off questions about the seeming contradiction by emphasizing the need to engage the Taliban to help stabilize Afghanistan, which the group rules.
—The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 1 Apr. 2025
Several former officials shrug off move as meaningless The practical effects of the move are likely minimal.
—Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 22 Mar. 2025
And forward Michael Porter Jr. shrugged off a brutal shooting slump to go 6 of 8 from deep against the Bucks.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrug off
Kelly Evans, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2025
Russian officials have shrugged off questions about the seeming contradiction by emphasizing the need to engage the Taliban to help stabilize Afghanistan, which the group rules.
—The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 1 Apr. 2025
Several former officials shrug off move as meaningless The practical effects of the move are likely minimal.
—Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 22 Mar. 2025
And forward Michael Porter Jr. shrugged off a brutal shooting slump to go 6 of 8 from deep against the Bucks.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrug off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrug off
Verb
-
However, Catherine was unimpressed by him going overboard — and ignoring the importance of bedside manner — in the clinic.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Quantum internet removes that risk by ensuring only the sender and receiver can read a message, so not even the hosting platform can access it.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The walls were blank; administrators had recently removed art work depicting eight female activists, including Angela Davis, the Marxist prison abolitionist, and Grace Lee Boggs, the Asian American Black Power activist.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Fans have not forgiven him for trading a global superstar in the prime of his career.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Please forgive us for probably passing over your favorite race at the storied track.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The mission began in fairly standard form: The SEALs infiltrated a bleak and dusty corner of Ramadi that happened to overlook a marketplace and, unbeknownst to them, also sat across from the lair of the Iraqi insurgents.—
Fred Schruers,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
-
This approach allows organizations to cultivate lifelong relationships with new supporters for whom standard fundraising strategies may have previously overlooked. 7.—
Larry Bomback,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
He’s put off plans to buy a new packaging machine, and is reducing investment for now until the uncertainty clears.—
Alana Semuels,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
-
These are the six most common reasons why so many people are putting off parenthood, according to the study. 1.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The reason for the independence, the Brookings Institution explains, is that politicians tend to want lower interest rates because lower rates stimulate the economy.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
-
If yes, please explain: Only at the misdemeanor level.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The mixed fragments pass over rotating screens that remove cardboard and paper, allowing heavier materials, including plastics, metals and glass, to continue along the sorting line.—
Alex Jordan,
The Conversation,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The bombers executed a low pass over Osan Air Base before leaving the South Korean airspace.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The myth that trans women are a danger to cis women is a grossly transphobic stereotype with almost no real-world justification, but Rowling pins most of her anti-trans arguments on it, using her experience as a survivor of domestic abuse to justify her prejudice.—
Aja Romano,
Vox,
18 Apr. 2025
-
As a result, the court ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to either determine whether greenhouse gases from new vehicles contribute to climate change, and therefore endanger human health, or justify its refusal to study the issue.—
Hannah Wiseman,
The Conversation,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrug off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrug%20off. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share