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
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Recent Examples of shrug off
The questions are real — middle-of-field volume, under-center experience, and whether his game has enough improv juice when structure collapses — but the résumé is too strong to shrug off.
—
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Global collectors shrugged off the stock market declines and the war in Iran last week to spend more than $600 million on classic cars and fine art, signaling continued strength at the top of the economy.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
Perhaps shrugging off culture is a form of self-preservation to those of us who are easily overwhelmed by the way social-media algorithms accelerate consumption, and push individuals to engage in public conversation.
—Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Trump has appeared to shrug off the reports of Russia supplying intelligence to Iran.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrug off
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Global collectors shrugged off the stock market declines and the war in Iran last week to spend more than $600 million on classic cars and fine art, signaling continued strength at the top of the economy.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
Perhaps shrugging off culture is a form of self-preservation to those of us who are easily overwhelmed by the way social-media algorithms accelerate consumption, and push individuals to engage in public conversation.
—Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Trump has appeared to shrug off the reports of Russia supplying intelligence to Iran.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrug off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrug off
Verb
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But all that seemed to go ignored by the presenter, attendees said.—
Jesse Coburn,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
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But how can justice, let alone a meaningful reckoning, begin when the killings go on, swept under the rug by state officials and all but ignored by everyone else?—
Brendan King,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Now this artist, who is devoted to depicting the Chicano struggle, says removing Chavez from artwork may be the only choice.—
Steve Large,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
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The Rodney statue has been gathering dust in storage after being removed from public view in Delaware during the 2020 racial justice protests.—
Dan Diamond,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Give me raiders of the lost past, any day, and forgive them their lack of footnotes.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
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Overcoming scandal, moving forward Crisis management experts told The Denver Post that while the public is usually willing to forgive and forget scandals if those involved do a good job communicating, the fraught nature of dealing with death makes this more complicated.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The atoms still emit the same total amount of light, which is why this effect has been overlooked until now.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
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Compared to downtown Park City and most Deer Valley resort accommodations, the hotel is positioned on the opposite side of the mountain overlooking the Jordanelle Reservoir.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tony Jefferson put off retirement for another season, agreeing Tuesday to return to the Chargers on a one-season contract reportedly worth $2 million.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
18 Mar. 2026
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Even those who wait until ages 33 to 37 have $59,000 more in net wealth by age 50 than those who put off buying a home.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Naturally, Farke was not about to reveal his hand in a press conference, but explained what will go through his mind ahead of Saturday evening.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
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And her book goes a long way in explaining why.—
Alexander Kaplan,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Even their best pro prospect, defensive tackle Deven Eastern, might be passed over in the last rounds and be forced to take the harder UDFA route.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
18 Mar. 2026
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But the suit filed in federal court a little over a year ago laid out his frustrations after applying to be captain and getting passed over for a white officer who, according to the suit, had about a third of the experience as supervisor in the department.—
Ken Lemon,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But manufacturers use unnecessary complication to justify charging you $100,000 for $20,000 worth of car--or $350,000 for $50,000 worth of tractor.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
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Blending absurdist humor with social critique, the series explores how civility can be weaponized to justify cruelty.—
Lin Ying-Hsuan,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrug off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrug%20off. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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