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
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Recent Examples of shrug off
Yet the ultra-rich are shrugging off their declining popularity — in part, by flexing their muscle in American politics.
—
David Faris, TheWeek, 20 Mar. 2026
Although the leading DDoS protection providers have been able to shrug off the DDoSS attacks, the botnets’ activities have still been disruptive to ISPs and gaming providers.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Ryan shrugs off the daily noise altogether.
—Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026
The questions are real — middle-of-field volume, under-center experience, and whether his game has enough improv juice when structure collapses — but the résumé is too strong to shrug off.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrug off
David Faris, TheWeek, 20 Mar. 2026
Although the leading DDoS protection providers have been able to shrug off the DDoSS attacks, the botnets’ activities have still been disruptive to ISPs and gaming providers.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Ryan shrugs off the daily noise altogether.
—Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026
The questions are real — middle-of-field volume, under-center experience, and whether his game has enough improv juice when structure collapses — but the résumé is too strong to shrug off.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrug off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrug off
Verb
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This is a youngster in great form and proving hard to ignore.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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Some Democrats argue that the cost of ignoring young male voters is higher than the risk of association with Piker.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In March 2021, then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy tried to have Swalwell removed from the House Intelligence Committee over his contact with Fang, citing the same interactions now at the center of Patel's file review.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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In his community, Bustamante likened it to denouncing Catholicism and removing photos of the pope.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Women who report abuse are too often told to forgive, submit, or stay silent.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
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Not forgive, not empathize, just listen with an open mind.—
Liana Finck,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Camouflaged in a valley speckled with just a handful of villas and farmsteads, the 16 stone houses overlook the naked dunes and sensational sunsets of Livadia Bay.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
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The airline placed everyone seeking information in a conference room that overlooked the Potomac River, where the wreckage of Flight 5342 bobbed in the water.—
Brit McCandless Farmer,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Is the instant reaction to be put off your guard or wonder how this person even found themselves at your show?—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
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In the center of town, Perryville House—with its garden-facing suites and Georgian architecture—makes a compelling case for putting off your departure.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Iannarelli explained that a core element of de-escalation is projecting calmness, as individuals often mimic those who appear angry and agitated.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
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The justices did not issue an opinion explaining their decision to stay Duckett’s execution.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The trail does pass over a small flowing creek, but keep an eye out for poison oak near the water.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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David Pastrnak gained the zone and slipped a pass over to Zacha, who zipped a wrist shot through Luukkonen’s pads for the GWG, his 24th goal of the season.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Policies were justified not with reference to morality or metaphysics but with citations of white papers.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Conflicts abroad, such as in Iran, that may disrupt domestic oil resources could also be used as an argument to justify the need to drill, Sivas said.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrug off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrug%20off. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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