SHRUGGING OFF Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

shrugging off

verb

present participle of shrug off

as in ignoring

to dismiss as of little importance an administration that was willing to shrug off the problem

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in removing

to rid oneself of (a garment) she shrugged off her coat and hung it up neatly

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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 shrugging off Publicly, the White House is shrugging off the legal setbacks. — Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026 Paul said, referring to an interview Edwards did several years ago shrugging off the Phoenix Suns’ addition of Kevin Durant. — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 4 July 2026 The stock market surged over the first half of 2026, shrugging off a war in the Middle East, a historic oil shortage and fear of a bubble in artificial intelligence. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 June 2026 Lionel Messi showcased his legendary resilience, powering Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Iraq with two goals, shrugging off an early penalty kick miss. — Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 The bull market keeps shrugging off every reason to stop. — Benzinga, Freep.com, 23 May 2026 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrugging off

Verb

The suspect allegedly attempted to flee again by jumping fences and ignoring the officers’ commands to stop, but was apprehended and placed in custody.

— Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 16 July 2026
Sometimes they’re manipulated into ignoring or suppressing their suspicions.

— Juliet Linderman, Fortune, 16 July 2026

Definition of ignoring

Verb

The damage uncovered Contractors discovered the extent of the deterioration in January after removing tile and black mastic from Aviator’s kitchen floor.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
The second, the critic, checks whether the scene looks realistic and suggests improvements, such as removing objects that do not belong in a particular room.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026

Definition of removing

Verb

The unique building overlooking the bay is being offered for sale for the first time in decades.

— Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 13 July 2026
In recent years, with attendance at Latin Mass topping 4,000, the SSPX built a 1,500-seat, $42 million church high on its campus overlooking the tranquil town.

— Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026

Definition of overlooking

Verb

However, the company hasn't offered a timeline for a public market debut and is reportedly putting off those plans until at least next year.

— Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 9 July 2026
For anyone who has been putting off a checkup, over the counter hearing aids have made treatment easier to access than ever, which turns this into one of the simplest risk factors on the list to actually address.

— Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026

Definition of putting off

Verb

Olympic gold medalist Arisa Trew secured her second winning result of the weekend with a switch McTwist — a 540-degree twist taking off from her opposite side while grabbing the middle of the board — during women’s vert best trick, which featured a field of athletes averaging only 16 1/2 years old.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2026
During that time, the suspects took the woman's bracelet off her wrist without her knowing before taking off, according to police.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 20 June 2026

Definition of taking off

Verb

The center of Super Typhoon Bavi, the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane, was passing over Rota, an island of 2,000 people in the Northern Mariana Islands.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Subtle audio tracks the sound of ice on the move, views of clouds passing over glass-like ice, and there's the eventual memorial for Ok.

— Erika Owen, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 June 2026

Definition of passing over

Verb

Carpino retired in April, without ever explaining what was not right in the organization or, based on the standings, repairing it.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
The traditional experience requires waiting on hold, explaining the situation and hoping an agent can help.

— Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of explaining

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shrugging

shrugging off

shrug off

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

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Synonyms of shrugging off

verb

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