SHRUGS OFF Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

shrugs off

verb

present tense third-person singular of shrug off

as in ignores

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 removes

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 shrugs off Wrapped in a tough, drop-proof fabric shell that floats and shrugs off water, it is engineered to survive real-world chaos. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026 Turkey’s government insists its courts are independent as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shrugs off European rulings, a stance that has already fueled a diplomatic clash with Western ambassadors over Kavala’s detention. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 The team shrugs off criticism that the end result was overbudget and overdue. — Lauren Victory, CBS News, 20 June 2026 Once again, Rodrigo shrugs off concern. — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 His Bear shrugs off advice from friends and co-workers Ian (Cooper Tomlinson) and Sara (Megan Lawless) who notice that Nikki seems to get more unhinged by the minute. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 13 May 2026 Singh shrugs off the need for external validation. — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026 Rough blazing star shrugs off humidity but skip planting in spots where the soil stays soggy in the winter. — Erica Browne Grivas, Midwest Living, 1 May 2026 Even now, Dickinson shrugs off people who complain that recent Maiden albums like The Book of Souls and Senjutsu lean too progressive. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrugs off

Verb

Meanwhile, minimum-wage airport workers depend on reliable, affordable transit that the O’Hare Flyer ignores entirely.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
Is Jan Crawford meant to adhere to standards while the editor-in-chief consistently ignores them?

— Daniel Strauss, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of ignores

Verb

With more than 15,000 positive reviews, this powerful touchless vacuum removes dirt, hair, dust, crumbs and more from hard floors.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2026
The lease agreement will end when Club West either removes or sells the equipment inside the building, Browder said.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of removes

Verb

La Pajarera sky lounge in the Bless Barcelona overlooks Plaça de Catalunya down towards the sea, and has some of the best sunset views in the city.

— Jaymi McCann, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
No spa day would be complete without lunch or a drink at Fleur de Lis, which overlooks the lush greenery surrounding the lake.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of overlooks

Verb

That explains how, in a system in which all politicians purport to follow their conscience, nearly every consequential issue is decided by a straight party vote.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
Retailers want to see that brands are generating sales, Nafousi explains, yet driving those conversions can require more spending on marketing and in-store visibility.

— Amy Francombe, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of explains

Verb

Human Rights Watch did not seek to establish membership, noting that neither gang affiliation nor a criminal record justifies excessive force or an extrajudicial killing.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
Building a new jail, the suit claims, doesn’t meet the legal test that justifies extended after-hours work, which are allowed only on (among other things) projects that are in the interest of public health and safety.

— Curbed, Curbed, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of justifies

Verb

While it isn't yet known exactly where any surviving pieces will land, Sladen noted that Swift's orbit only passes over a band within about 21 degrees of the equator.

— Leonard David, Space.com, 1 Nov. 2026
The spacecraft must launch when the station’s orbital plane passes over the launch site.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of passes over

Verb

But this surface difference papers over something more fundamentally shared.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026
With ballots set to be printed this week, the issue was appealed to the Alaska Supreme Court on an expedited basis, with both sides filing court papers over the weekend.

— Joe Walsh, CBS News, 30 June 2026

Definition of papers over

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shrugs

shrugs off

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“Shrugs off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrugs%20off. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of shrugs off

verb

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