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

A great deal of flourishing and suffering happens between people, not just within them, because human beings are relational beings.

— David H. Rosmarin, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
The unsettled partisan lines around this issue have allowed anger, rooted in decades of deindustrialization and public austerity, to flourish in the electorate.

— Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of flourish

Verb

Currently, there are three categories of vaccination recommendations granted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is informed by a panel of independent expert advisors, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
Over the weekend, Bloomberg News reported Nvidia has informed customers of impending price hikes on AI servers due to memory costs.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of inform

Verb

The rooms The 160 rooms and suites strike a balance between modern style and island charm, with leafy wallpaper, handsome headboards, and artwork by local artists that nod to Key West’s quirky spirit—think roosters and vintage island scenes.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
Agave, corn, and jamaica (hibiscus) flavor the house coffees, teas, and other drinks, nodding to heritage flavors.

— The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of nod

Verb

The referendum campaign has fueled debate about Iceland’s place in the world, Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir told reporters after casting her ballot in the capital on Saturday.

— Reuters, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
Indrika Ratwatte, the acting assistant secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, told the Security Council that the Kenscoff attack forced more than 2,600 people to flee their homes, many for the second or third time.

— Evens Sanon, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 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

The process can involve repairs across propulsion, electrical and combat-related systems.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
Gennaro Tomma is a freelance journalist who covers science, with a focus on the natural world, biodiversity, conservation, climate change, environmental and science-related policies, and more.

— Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 25 Aug. 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 1 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

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

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

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

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

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

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes