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
Stocks closed higher on Monday, shrugging off a dip earlier in the day after reports of the DOJ probe into Powell.
—
Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2026
Stock market investors for now are shrugging off the Justice Department’s investigation into Powell.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Both gave way to Phoenix’s limitless fourth-quarter responses, shrugging off Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren’s late shot-making, as well as the Thunder’s late turn to small ball.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
The Warriors took down the Nuggets, 137-131, on Thursday, clawing their way back from a 14-point crater, surviving a 50-point explosion from San Jose’s Aaron Gordon, and somehow shrugging off yet another triple-double from Jokic.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
Surprisingly, or perhaps not, WBD is shrugging off the downturn, up a hair to near $18, continuing to be buoyed by takeover talk.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
With many shrugging off such transcriptionists inside the office, etiquette around recording outside the office is fraying.
—Iain Martin, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Indonesia still ranks among the more stable emerging markets, Howe said, shrugging off impact from the demonstrations as a near-term setback.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2025
Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2026
Stock market investors for now are shrugging off the Justice Department’s investigation into Powell.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Both gave way to Phoenix’s limitless fourth-quarter responses, shrugging off Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren’s late shot-making, as well as the Thunder’s late turn to small ball.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
The Warriors took down the Nuggets, 137-131, on Thursday, clawing their way back from a 14-point crater, surviving a 50-point explosion from San Jose’s Aaron Gordon, and somehow shrugging off yet another triple-double from Jokic.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
Surprisingly, or perhaps not, WBD is shrugging off the downturn, up a hair to near $18, continuing to be buoyed by takeover talk.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
With many shrugging off such transcriptionists inside the office, etiquette around recording outside the office is fraying.
—Iain Martin, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Indonesia still ranks among the more stable emerging markets, Howe said, shrugging off impact from the demonstrations as a near-term setback.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrugging off
Verb
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Alyssa Farah Griffin attempted to cut in, with Navarro ignoring her in the moment.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
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James said the administration has not provided evidence of fraud or misuse of child care funding in New York, while ignoring the standard processes for withholding such funds.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Borax and Water Similar to hydrogen peroxide, Borax is effective against mold and mildew and is excellent at removing soap scum.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
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The manufacturer recommends unplugging your rice cooker, removing the rice pot and wiping down all of the components with a damp rag and a mixture of vinegar and water.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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More chill offerings abound in the new outdoor space with a bar and NCL’s first overhanging private cabanas overlooking the Vibe Beach Club.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Jan. 2026
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Save time for the palace’s photogenic courtyards and water gardens overlooking the gorge.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This opening scene establishes a human, forgiving tone for a movie in which we are often encouraged to laugh with our heroes but never at them.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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The waistband of the wide-leg trousers is fitted with elastic for a stretchy, forgiving fit, and they’re even designed with two deep side pockets that’ll hold your phone in a pinch.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Customers are also putting off purchases due to the back and forth on tariff levels.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
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Millions of Americans are shaving down their grocery budgets and putting off buying a home as wages fail to meet rising costs of living.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Alarmists will often focus on the negative while passing over potential positive outcomes.—
Jeff Mayhugh,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
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The epicenter of the hurricane is passing over Cuba at the opposite end of the island to the Caribbean country's capital city of Havana, the BBC noted.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But once inside, as the crackling fire quickly warms you up, there’s no better feeling after hours on the trail than dropping your backpack on the floor, taking off your boots and settling in for a few days of peaceful escape.—
The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
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The plane crashed near Rio Linda Boulevard and Claire Avenue in North Sacramento’s Robla neighborhood shortly after taking off from Rio Linda Airport.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Fishback referenced Rain directly when explaining his proposal.—
Anna McAllister,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
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In explaining that earlier decision, Lamberth chastised government officials for failing to provide any evidence to support its claims about national security concerns.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrugging off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrugging%20off. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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