SHRUG OFF Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

shrug off

verb

Definition of shrug off

as in to ignore

to dismiss as of little importance an administration that was willing to shrug off the problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to remove

to rid oneself of (a garment) she shrugged off her coat and hung it up neatly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 off In all of the noise surrounding any American election, one aspect of a political candidate's history noticed by some, shrugged off or ignored by others while being put front and center by a few, is the person's ethnic heritage or race. — D.l. Davis, jsonline.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Those ostensible allies shrugged off criticism of their destructive interventions in Libya, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Trump, now shrugging off concerns about the threat posed to those who remained aboard the plane he was supposed to be on. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026 Some fans who saw the footage largely shrugged off Miller’s protest. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrug off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrug off

Verb

The stock that spent two years being ignored by the same investors who loaded up on Hilton and Marriott is now having its moment.

— Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Alicia McCalla, 56, a fiction writer who has been doing voice work for five years out of her home in Atlanta, decided to ignore union suggestions and clone her voice.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of ignore

Verb

In sick bay, M’Benga tries to remove the table and end his life so Chapel can give up on him, an effort that proves futile.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Though your home may have its share of appliances, mail, mugs, or anything else that lives on your countertops daily, they should be removed before listing.

— Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of remove

Verb

None of this is irreversible, which is precisely why the CDC’s complacency is so hard to forgive.

— A.J. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
Financial institutions and community partners may also provide down payment assistance programs, including opportunities that can be partially or fully forgiven over time.

— Patricia Mason, Hartford Courant, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of forgive

Verb

Log temples atop the mounds overlooked wide plazas for ball games, ceremonies, and open-air markets.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
For a luxury upgrade, consider the One&Only Cape Town, Cape Town’s premier urban resort with a bar and lounge that directly overlooks Table Mountain.

— Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of overlook

Verb

Lanterns wastes little time explaining this backstory ad nauseam and instead creates an immediately inviting dynamic between him and Hal, who comes to him demanding information on Manhunters.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Cieloween explained that the moves shown by participants vary widely.

— Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

Tomlin played the brilliant Violet Newstead, a widow who was passed over for a promotion despite being the most qualified person for the job.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026
Around 92% of the lunar surface will be covered when the eclipse passes over the KC skies, and the moon will be significantly darker with a slight red hue that can be seen with the naked eye.

— Joseph Hernandez August 25, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of pass over

Verb

The government may not decide that Church teaching is insufficiently religious, insufficiently consistent with Catholic doctrine, or insufficiently compelling to justify an ecclesiastical policy.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026
Organizers of Tuesday's rally said the women were released from ICE detention after a judge granted their habeas corpus petitions, meaning the government was required to justify their continued detention.

— Drew Aunkst, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of justify

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shrugging off

shrug off

shrugs

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“Shrug off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrug%20off. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of shrug off

verb

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