as in wave
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Recent Examples of shrug
Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Feb. 2026
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
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
Still, in conversations with strategists steeped in the state’s politics, almost everyone offers the same shrug as to whether Texas is really in contention this year.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 26 Feb. 2026
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
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
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For a wave of young jewelry brands that built their businesses on the promise of high-quality pieces without the high jewelry price tag, that’s a problem.—
Andrea Bossi,
Vogue,
18 Mar. 2026
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The settings feature 12 different temperatures backed by infared technology to fit any styling mood (the lower temperatures are great for creating waves without completely frying off your hair).—
Catharine Malzahn,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Eagles are flourishing under coach Cory Skinner.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
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Clearly flourishing despite the many geopolitical hurdles over the last year, the China International Fashion Fair (CHIC) showed off the strength of the industry in China last week.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The worker then pulled the emergency brake to stop the train before getting off to inform the control tower.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
17 Mar. 2026
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Koch added that Joa plans to use artificial intelligence to create content and better inform teams and leagues about user behavior.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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Since childhood, letter writer was told to show up for older siblings who never reciprocated.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
16 Mar. 2026
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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
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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
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The 34-year-old Panarin subsequently signed a two-year, $22 million extension with Los Angeles.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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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 21 Mar. 2026.
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