shrug off

verb

shrugged off; shrugging off; shrugs off

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

Synonyms of shrug off

• ignore
• forgive
• overlook
• explain
• pass over
• justify

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

This tier doesn’t include metal shells—that begins with the Pro 5—but Dell's choice of plastic feels sturdy and ready to shrug off daily wear and tear. —Charles Jefferies, PC Magazine, 28 May 2026

The models specifically reproduced how said particles would interact with the expanding shell of material shrugged off by the supernova's dying progenitor star. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 May 2026

Beyond pressures from the Iran war, which stock markets have largely shrugged off, AI is a factor in the divergence. —J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 24 May 2026

But the president shrugging off concerns when asked if he's lost control of Republicans in Congress. —ABC News, 24 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shrug off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

shrug off

verb

1

: to brush aside as not important

2

: to take off (a garment) by wriggling out