shrug off

verb

Definition of shrug offnext
1
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
2
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 By the week’s end, countries with ties to Tehran had so far shrugged off the threat and analysts were left underwhelmed by the US actions. — Yash Roy, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026 Equity markets have also largely shrugged off the potential ramifications of the conflict, with global stocks seeing a broad rally this year as corporate earnings optimism outweighed concerns about the war's implications for the world economy. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 Part of it is that more women are speaking up about hair loss, shrugging off the stigma and reaching out for help. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 25 Aug. 2026 The principal targets of a US effort to use economic leverage to end the Iran war largely shrugged off Washington’s announcement. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrug off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrug off
  1. ignore
  2. remove
  3. forgive
  4. put off
  5. overlook
  6. explain
  7. pass over
  8. justify
Verb
  • Ultimately, the human element can’t be ignored, but the NBA is a business.
    — Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • But for now, let’s all giggle at how fully Naheim ignored Bryan when going to congratulate Jude.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • Kiju took a deep breath and removed her hand from between his.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Manchester City revenues derived from UEFA reports, adjusted to remove 'other operating income' and converted from GBP to EUR at prevailing rate.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of remove
Verb
  • More gummies than grizzlies, the Bears will likely be overly forgiving in myriad areas — especially defending the pass.
    — Brad Evans, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Vertiv shares are up a Micron-like 1043% over the past five years, so investors might be forgiven for profit taking.
    — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • Stop putting off that next step for your side hustle and find the perfect person to take your business to the next level.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Don’t be put off by the alarming title; this book approaches our ominous political landscape with an eye to diagnosing, not depressing.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of put off
Verb
  • It may be overlooked, considering how comfortable Suzuki appears when carrying out Unai Emery’s ploy of his backline baiting an opponent’s press, but at Parma, he was required to kick mostly long.
    — Aston Villa, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Washington did grow, and for years tourists and residents flocked to the Capitol’s wide terrace overlooking the National Mall, especially at sunset.
    — Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of overlook
Verb
  • Which may explain the conversion of 80 Horatio, a pre-law five-story brick tenement building in a prime pocket of the neighborhood, into a single-family house.
    — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Hurts, later explaining his reaction, said that earlier in the practice period, Moore had stopped in the middle of the route, which resulted in an interception.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • New quarterback Rocco Becht threw for 271 yards and four touchdowns in his debut as Penn State had two passes over 40 yards and 14 over 10 yards, a massive improvement from the struggles in previous years.
    — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • But what makes Memphis especially dangerous is that the offense has shown an early ability to draw the opposition into defending the run game and constricting the box, then blowing the defense open with a pass over the top.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of pass over
Verb
  • On price hikes, analysts think that Apple needs to increase prices by as much as $100 in order to preserve profit margins and that the company's brand can justify this change in the eyes of customers.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The latest proposal cites legal decisions and policies to justify the various changes.
    — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of justify

Browse Nearby Words

shrugging off
shrug off
shrugs
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Cite this Entry

“Shrug off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrug%20off. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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