as in wave
Related Words
Relevance
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
Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Stu Forster/Getty Images There was a period before Christmas when the prospect of Ibrahima Konate leaving Liverpool on a free transfer at the end of the season would have been greeted with a collective shrug among the fanbase.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
Melvin’s childhood friends and business associates look away, scratch their heads, and shrug their shoulders when asked the obvious question.
—Aliya S. King, VIBE.com, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrug
Noun
There’s plenty of evidence from the past year to support that theory, from the ouster of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, to attacks on Russian shadow fleet vessels by Ukrainian special forces, to the brief Israel-Iran conflict last summer, all of which produced a collective shrug from oil traders.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Stu Forster/Getty Images There was a period before Christmas when the prospect of Ibrahima Konate leaving Liverpool on a free transfer at the end of the season would have been greeted with a collective shrug among the fanbase.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Verb
In the years since 2004’s Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, Penn’s carved out a niche embodying big-talking, attention-grabbing rascals who say inappropriate things, then shrug their way through the consequences.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
Melvin’s childhood friends and business associates look away, scratch their heads, and shrug their shoulders when asked the obvious question.
—Aliya S. King, VIBE.com, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrug
Noun
-
Yamaha joins a wave of major corporations fleeing California, including Tesla, In-N-Out and Chevron, citing costly regulations and unfavorable business conditions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Most intense day of strikes so far US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday marked the most aggressive wave of attacks inside Iran since the start of Operation Epic Fury on February 28.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the fact that employees still showed up, including without pay during last year’s federal government shutdown, demonstrates their commitment to keeping the beloved parks flourishing.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
-
After more than 30 years, Wimberley Glassworks still flourishes and its gallery is bursting with color—plates in kaleidoscopic shades, delicate pieces glowing brightly on tables, sculptures fanning out in rainbows over the walls, as if outraged by the white paint.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
From the haunting coastline of Namibia to off-road adventures in Iceland, let the 13 trips ahead inform your next adventure.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Instead of publishing that letter, Guerra said the state Democratic Party should have gone straight to releasing the VOTER Index and framing it simply as an opportunity to inform voters about the state of the race for governor.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Not a second later, Mustangs senior Frank Psaute pulled from deep, nailed a triple, and nodded at David as the Mustangs cut Rock Canyon’s lead to five.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Chalamet got into character for the New York premiere of A Complete Unknown, nodding to Dylan in a layered Celine Homme by Hedi Slimane outfit and new strawberry-blonde bangs.—
Amber Rambharose,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Since childhood, letter writer was told to show up for older siblings who never reciprocated.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
16 Mar. 2026
-
One of Ghazali's neighbors told The Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, that the assailant's brother was killed in an airstrike.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Trump has similarly fumed at Thune, going so far as to refuse to sign bills until the SAVE America Act reaches his desk.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The 34-year-old Panarin subsequently signed a two-year, $22 million extension with Los Angeles.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the fear that Bacon has gathered everyone for something indulgent is quickly disabused in the silly and gory comedy where the fun all are having on screen extends to those who aren’t directly related.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Reducing stress may also improve symptoms, particularly in people with functional or stress-related abdominal pain.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrug. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
