shrug 1 of 2

Definition of shrugnext

shrug

2 of 2

verb

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
Noun
Gates, no relation to Antonio, offers a shrug and a smirk. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026 Her second look featured a strapless satin gown with a matching shrug. Christina Perrier, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
Others just shrug, throw all their knives in the dishwasher week after week, and then toss them into a drawer. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026 Some people take them seriously, while others shrug them off or misunderstand them. Angela Haupt, Time, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrug
Noun
  • Financially dependent on her parents throughout her youth and confused by waves of calm or small kindnesses, Gross wrestled with distancing herself for some time before cutting contact with her parents and brothers as an adult.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
  • When the Fontainebleau Hotel faced a skeptical city board and a wave of community opposition to a plan to add water slides to its pool deck, the hotel’s billionaire owner pushed successfully for a change to state law to move the project forward.
    Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Burden will help the passing game flourish but doesn’t match the Bears’ needs, so this pick shows Chicago clearly is trying to load up on offense under new coach Ben Johnson.
    Sam Warren, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • But as Mackintosh persuasively illustrates, the familiar emotions of jealousy, infatuation and eventually indifference — these persist and can flourish in any relationship, however free of prohibition.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Heorhii Tykhyi, a spokesman for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, said Kyiv had informed Israeli authorities about the vessels in advance.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Luckily, the hunters brought the deer to a butcher who then informed EnCon police.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The 20,062-seat stadium has a Petco Park vibe, from the artwork and nods to the team’s history located throughout the stadium.
    Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • For a true picture of the Outer Banks before electricity and running water, Anderson-Silver nods to My Daily Bounded Realm by Robin Daniels Holt, which takes readers back to a time when locals on Hatteras Island made a living through selling seaweed for mattress stuffing and ate molecrab stew.
    Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Federal authorities leading investigation The FBI is leading the criminal probe while the Secret Service is focusing on the suspect's behavioral profile, a senior law enforcement official briefed on the bicoastal investigation told USA TODAY.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
  • From there, his reaction was telling.
    Zak Keefer, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Even before the war, Saudi Arabia had signed a defense agreement with Pakistan, which has since gained more credibility as a force in the region because of its mediating role between Washington and Tehran.
    Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Industry Monk recalls the room feeling slightly busier than usual, the sign-up list longer than an average night.
    Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Timberwolves can certainly relate.
    Sam Amick, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • There is not enough information to know if Zimmerman’s early retirement and Dains’ removal are related.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Shrug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrug. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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