shrug 1 of 2

noun

Definition of shrugnext
as in wave

Related Words

Relevance

shrug

2 of 2

verb

as in to flourish

Related Words

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
The implications range from there being a huge panic and crisis of confidence in society, as well as in political and religious institutions, to the largest shrug of the shoulders ever as people just get on with their everyday lives. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 9 June 2026 Wallace’s casual shrug at the risks of tanning echoes a surprisingly common attitude among Gen-Zers. — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
Verb
One of the reasons these kit-ranking articles usually work is, for the most part, there are typically enough good ones to gush over, enough middling ones to shrug about, and enough bad ones to have some slightly snidey fun in giving them a kicking. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 10 June 2026 Asked about the challenges of traveling long distances in this tri-country World Cup, and having to battle summer heat, Montella shrugged it off. — Miami Herald, 7 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrug
  1. wave
  2. flourish
  3. inform
  4. nod
  5. tell
  6. sign
  7. relate
Noun
  • The first wave of Social Security payments for July is scheduled to be distributed this week.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • SoCal’s housing market growth SpaceX’s record-shattering IPO has unleashed a wave of high-end home shoppers poised to reshape Southern California’s already tight coastal housing markets.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of wave
Verb
  • As an especially commercial form of feminism began to flourish, these sites debated its merits.
    — Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 11 July 2026
  • Brands can do this by creating flexible labor models, designing spaces where workers can flourish and developing cultural and spiritual capital through local partnerships.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 10 July 2026
Definition of flourish
Verb
  • In addition,18 employees who had been placed in the 2026 fiscal year layoff prevention pool will be informed that their stay in that pool has expired, the district said.
    — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Prioritize safety, stay impeccably informed, and assume responsibility to shield lives and property.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of inform
Verb
  • With its striking marble bar, exposed brick walls, and cozy booths, the setting nods to the building’s former life as the town pharmacy.
    — Brennan Long, Southern Living, 7 July 2026
  • Messi played a ball into the box that was deflected high into the air and was nodded down by one of his teammates.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Definition of nod
Verb
  • After the game, a team source not authorized to speak publicly told The Athletic that Coulombe had been designated for assignment.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • Oman has drafted a tentative proposal to manage traffic in the strait, a source told CNN.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
Definition of tell
Verb
  • Mintyukov’s deal was worth more than he was expected to get by most NHL observers, but the Ducks didn’t say whether another team had signed Mintyukov to an offer sheet.
    — Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Rodríguez Castro witnessed his grandfather sign the accord with the Obama administration.
    — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of sign
Verb
  • Investigators said there was no evidence that the shootings were related.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Even tracks that might have lived elsewhere find their place once a world begins to form around them—a palette of emotional colors that don’t need to match, only to relate.
    — Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of relate

Browse Nearby Words

shrouds
shrug
shrugged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shrug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrug. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on shrug

Nglish: Translation of shrug for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of yaw

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All