1
as in ignoring
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 removing
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 shrugging off
Trump has also lambasted members of the alliance for shrugging off requests to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, despite much of the oil that Europe relies on navigating through the waterway.
—
Haris Alic, The Washington Examiner, 15 May 2026
Even shrugging off the disappointment of missing a sitter of a backhand when up break point a couple of points earlier.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 9 May 2026
This suggests that Amodei believed Anthropic had more leverage on the Pentagon than the Pentagon had on it — the CEO of a company founded just five years ago shrugging off a threat from the world’s most powerful and best-funded entity.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
The Europeans are shrugging off these comments, if not ignoring them entirely.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Investors are shrugging off the verdicts.
—Morgan Lee, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
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
Perhaps shrugging off culture is a form of self-preservation to those of us who are easily overwhelmed by the way social-media algorithms accelerate consumption, and push individuals to engage in public conversation.
—Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Senate Republicans plan to vote on a government funding package as soon as Thursday, shrugging off Democrats’ vows to filibuster the legislation unless DHS funding is removed and amended after two fatal Minnesota shootings.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Haris Alic, The Washington Examiner, 15 May 2026
Even shrugging off the disappointment of missing a sitter of a backhand when up break point a couple of points earlier.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 9 May 2026
This suggests that Amodei believed Anthropic had more leverage on the Pentagon than the Pentagon had on it — the CEO of a company founded just five years ago shrugging off a threat from the world’s most powerful and best-funded entity.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
The Europeans are shrugging off these comments, if not ignoring them entirely.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Investors are shrugging off the verdicts.
—Morgan Lee, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
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
Perhaps shrugging off culture is a form of self-preservation to those of us who are easily overwhelmed by the way social-media algorithms accelerate consumption, and push individuals to engage in public conversation.
—Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Senate Republicans plan to vote on a government funding package as soon as Thursday, shrugging off Democrats’ vows to filibuster the legislation unless DHS funding is removed and amended after two fatal Minnesota shootings.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrugging off
Verb
-
Even the wokest of the wokes are ignoring poor Megan.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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Our detailed reporting agitated the government, which went from ignoring our existence to breathing down our necks.—
Abraham Jiménez Enoa,
The Dial,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Iran is moving its World Cup training base from Tucson to Tijuana, the president of the country’s soccer federation said Saturday, removing one of the final hurdles to its participation in this summer’s tournament.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
-
After removing the plastic, check the area for any remaining growth and remove it as necessary.—
Caroline Biggs,
Martha Stewart,
23 May 2026
Verb
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The pool sits on a sprawling terrace, overlooking the sea for maximum tranquility.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
14 May 2026
-
Continue to Totem Bight State Historical Park, where totems rise from a rainforest overlooking the Tongass Narrows.—
Josh Rivera,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Verb
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How to Apply Retinoids for Hair Growth The scalp is not as forgiving as the skin on your face, and hair makes retinoid application a bit more complicated.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
22 May 2026
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The technological development is prompting people to embrace the old understanding of typos, forgiving misspellings as inevitable errors rather than treating them with scorn.—
Michael Waters,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
Verb
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Commissioner Jessica Vasquez requested the AI proposal be deferred, likely putting off consideration for at least one month.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Damon Wayans’ Message to Other Diabetes Patients Wayans wants people who suspect something is off to stop putting off the appointment.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
Verb
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On Sunday, May 3, a United Boeing 767-400 coming from Venice, Italy, came into contact with the pole while passing over a major roadway at a very low elevation on its final approach, the carrier confirmed in a statement shared with PEOPLE.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
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The incident occurred when the plane was passing over the southbound lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Brian's car then flips multiple times and lands in a body of water, with the driver responsible apparently taking off.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
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The mission brought a roller coaster of highs and lows after taking off from SpaceX’s Starbase launch facilities at Texas’ southernmost tip.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
22 May 2026
Verb
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There will also be a letter to take to their healthcare provider explaining the situation.—
Joe Brandt,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
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Mathematicians take notice The proof underwent external review by mathematicians who also produced a companion paper explaining the argument and its broader importance.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrugging off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrugging%20off. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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