shrug off

verb

shrugged off; shrugging off; shrugs off
Synonyms of shrug offnext

transitive verb

1
: to shake off
shrugging off sleep
2
: to brush aside : minimize
shrugs off the problem
3
: to remove (a garment) by wriggling out

Examples of shrug off in a Sentence

an administration that was willing to shrug off the problem she shrugged off her coat and hung it up neatly
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
For years, megacap tech companies with hefty balance sheets have been able to shrug off rising rates, which tend to weigh more heavily on smaller, less-profitable peers. Kate Rooney, CNBC, 20 June 2026 The team shrugs off criticism that the end result was overbudget and overdue. Lauren Victory, CBS News, 20 June 2026 But people are more open-minded and pragmatic than many political commentators assume, and Burnham has long since shrugged off his association with previous eras of Labour. Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026 The stock market continues to shrug off geopolitical concern and hit record highs, padding people’s 401(k)s and retirement accounts. John Towfighi, CNN Money, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrug off

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shrug off was in 1902

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shrug off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrug%20off. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

shrug off

verb
1
: to brush aside as not important
2
: to take off (a garment) by wriggling out
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