shrugged off

verb

past tense of shrug off
1
as in ignored
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 removed
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 shrugged off Teskey also shrugged off concerns about an AI data center bubble. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 2 July 2026 For the most part, however, the market shrugged off those arguments and the buying continued. — Andrew Graham, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Victories by democratic socialist candidates should not be shrugged off as local stories, but rather the shocking mainstreaming of the extremist fringe. — Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2026 His campaign shrugged off the unflattering survey data. — Matthew Kelly updated June 26, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026 But people are more open-minded and pragmatic than many political commentators assume, and Burnham has long since shrugged off his association with previous eras of Labour. — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026 Many disillusioned locals, weary after weeks of power cuts, which causes food to rot, shrugged off the reforms as too little, too late. — CBS News, 19 June 2026 Those numbers have since rebounded some, but Musk has repeatedly shrugged off troubles — emphasizing that Tesla’s future lies less in car sales than getting people to take rides in them as self-driving taxis. — Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026 Nearby, chess ​teacher Alexei Lyslov shrugged off FIDE’s move. — CNN Money, 12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrugged off
  1. ignored
  2. removed
  3. overlooked
  4. put off
  5. explained
  6. passed over
  7. justified
Verb
  • For decades, the Supreme Court had all but ignored the 2nd Amendment, viewing it as a somewhat outdated provision involving militias, akin to the 3rd Amendment.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
  • As the message was written in Portuguese, Lopes initially ignored it before Aguas followed up again a few months later, this time in English.
    — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of ignored
Verb
  • Blake Snell — who also had loose bodies removed from his pitching elbow, undergoing a NanoNeedle Scope procedure on May 19 — threw two simulated innings to batters Saturday.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
  • Lime and hard-water deposits can be removed by soaking all the parts in warm white vinegar for a few hours.
    — Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026
Definition of removed
Verb
  • But building civic infrastructure in the form of third places shouldn’t be overlooked.
    — Katelyn Frey, The Conversation, 10 July 2026
  • All of those factors matter, but one of the most powerful drivers of enterprise value is often overlooked.
    — Anthony Mastro, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of overlooked
Verb
  • Home Depot and Lowe’s both told investors this year that homeowners are putting off larger home improvement projects – those often associated with fixer-upper homes.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Across the country, park agencies struggling with these dire conditions are responding by putting off maintenance for trails and forests to save money, said Ray.
    — Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of put off
Verb
  • Powar explained that these systems are increasingly capable of working independently for extended periods, testing hypotheses, solving problems, and adapting their approach without constant human input.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
  • George Tzikas, a Sacramento County Regional Parks ranger, explained that the river’s currents can change, and that its underwater topography is often a contributing factor in many rescues.
    — Reeti Malhotra July 10, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of explained
Verb
  • Neill notably auditioned to play James Bond in 1987’s The Living Daylights, but was passed over for Timothy Dalton.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 13 July 2026
  • Even so, gender-affirming care for youth is banned in 27 states after a flurry of laws passed over the last several years.
    — Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 13 July 2026
Definition of passed over
Verb
  • Daniels said the family does not believe the shooting was justified.
    — CBS News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Any proposal that impacts taxpayers must be carefully examined, clearly justified, and supported by transparency and accountability.
    — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026
Definition of justified

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shrugged
shrugged off
shrugging
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Cite this Entry

“Shrugged off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrugged%20off. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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