Thesaurus results for SHRUG

shrug 1 of 2

noun

Definition of shrug

as in wave

Related Words

Relevance

shrug

2 of 2

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

So when Clark two-putted on the 18th green underneath a beautiful, orange Hamptons sky, the reaction could be at best described as a tepid, ambivalent shrug of applause. — Brody Miller, New York Times, 22 June 2026 The culprit — wearing tinted hippie glasses, a white tank top and a flower-print skirt — responded with a sheepish shrug and a smile. — Antonio Ferme, Variety, 14 June 2026

Verb

If someone shrugs at your enthusiasm, keep energy moving by finishing a simple creative piece, then share the result and ask for one thoughtful note. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2026 If Brendan didn’t have NFL arm, Bubba Bootstraps would shrug and look the other way. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrug

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrug

Noun

Southern California is in the middle of a Super El Niño heat and humidity wave.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
That scoreboard is now misleading, because the same AI wave letting those companies shed jobs is handing thousands of capable people the time and the reason to build something of their own.

— Lisa Curtis, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of wave

Verb

The earliest arguments for the non-existence of time go back to the pre-Socratic Greek philosopher, Parmenides of Elea, in southwest Italy, who flourished in the fifth century BCE.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
Furo could even step up and eventually replace Igor Thiago one day, another central striker who has flourished at Brentford after being signed by Club Brugge.

— Rob Tanner, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of flourish

Verb

As someone who isn’t a character person, the centerpiece for me is Villains Grove, which takes over the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail with projections and effects that nod to various evil characters.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Each nodded to ’90s and early 2000s nostalgia and had Easter eggs such as an editorial code that included her and Iverson’s initials.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of nod

Verb

Home plate umpire Doug Eddings called time to tell Hancel Rincon to fix his hat.

— Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Several parents previously told the Democrat-Gazette and other local media that the couple then disappeared and stopped responding to emails or phone calls.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of tell

Verb

Minnesota signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2025, and his ability to play numerous positions keeps him on the roster.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
But in 2018 Trump signed the Right to Try Act, which allows terminally ill patients to access certain experimental drugs and immunotherapy treatments that have not received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of sign

Verb

Neiman speculates that polyploidy and the snail’s unusual reproductive strategies are related.

— Carrie Arnold Contributing, Quanta Magazine, 2 Sep. 2026
Though theories implicated everyone from rival rapper Biggie Smalls to Knight’s wife Sharitha — neither of whom was ever charged in connection with the murder — investigators long suspected the killing was gang-related.

— Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of relate

Browse Nearby Words

shrouds

shrug

shrugged

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Shrug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrug. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of shrug

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gist

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes