shrug off

verb

Definition of shrug offnext
1
as in to ignore
to dismiss as of little importance an administration that was willing to shrug off the problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Both of those effects, Maleki said, directly undermined US leverage in the more difficult nuclear talks and emboldened Iran to shrug off the ceasefire and keep attacking ships in the strait. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Contestants shrug off those 'Hunger Games' comments While Freedom 250 calls itself nonpartisan, its ties to Trump have thrust the organization into controversy. — Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 So far, efforts by private firms to shrug off these laws aren’t working. — Philip Wang, Time, 4 Aug. 2026 After the Dream's narrow 82-81 win, Reese shrugged off the controversy when asked about the wager. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrug off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrug off
  1. ignore
  2. remove
  3. forgive
  4. put off
  5. overlook
  6. explain
  7. pass over
  8. justify
Verb
  • DeGravelles, who is based in Louisiana where Mohammed had been held, said harsher sanctions would be warranted if his orders continued to go ignored.
    — CBS Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Lúcia added the Maria da Penha law needed updating because violence against women in Brazil is also a matter of power and as many femicides take place out of women’s homes in situations that are reported to police but ignored.
    — Mauricio Savarese, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • Merck and Moderna have several large trials under way in non-small cell lung cancers that have been surgically removed.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Beyond removing the psychological and practical barrier of injections, oral formulations are not reliant on syringes or refrigeration and are cheaper to manufacture.
    — Perdita Nouril, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of remove
Verb
  • Despite the trauma, Ashton Spears chose to forgive his father.
    — Doug Myers, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The relentless pace of Line Sheet is forgiving for its author.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • Multiple donors who gave thousands of dollars to Cornyn's campaign told ABC News that they were put off by Paxton's history of controversies and scandals.
    — Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • City have looked for replacements in the market and had considered Pedro Neto from Chelsea, but were put off by the price tag.
    — Sam Lee, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of put off
Verb
  • Participants can inquire about renting an entire house or a single room, and all have access to a fully outfitted co-working space with common areas, meeting rooms, and a terrace overlooking the valley.
    — Liz Provencher, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Monitoring their shifts shows that fast solar development degrades critical vegetation and food sources, threatening local biodiversity in ways other metrics often overlook.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of overlook
Verb
  • Neither the governor's office nor Wilson's office has explained why those two sections were left out between the May draft and the final trailer bill.
    — Julie Watts, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Here, The Athletic explains the latest situation in terms of both outgoings and incomings at St James’ Park.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • More fanfare accompanied the man Pecko passed over for this opportunity.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Regardless of whether Lala's eye passes over land, its impacts could be significant, AccuWeather Expert Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of pass over
Verb
  • Longer commutes, hills, uneven neighborhood streets, and weekend detours all make a stronger all-around bike easier to justify.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Throughout the film, the corporation constantly looks for ways to justify not making changes.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of justify

Browse Nearby Words

shrugging off
shrug off
shrugs
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Cite this Entry

“Shrug off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrug%20off. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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