shrugs off

verb

present tense third-person singular of shrug off
1
as in ignores
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 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 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 Oleander is very heat and drought tolerant and shrugs off poor soil. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026 Ryan shrugs off the daily noise altogether. — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrugs off
  1. ignores
  2. removes
  3. forgives
  4. overlooks
  5. explains
  6. justifies
  7. passes over
  8. papers over
Verb
  • Karl Buchholz, Broomfield Recent coverage of RTD’s budget and ridership crisis completely ignores the elephant in the room, public safety.
    — DP Opinion, Denver Post, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Two things are always in motion, the agent's confidence and the person's trust, and an interface that ignores both will feel wrong long before anyone can say why.
    — Ravi Palwe, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of ignores
Verb
  • This keeps the area sanitized and removes any mold or allergens that can become a problem if they’re left untouched.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Pair them with the Corn Boats so your cob doesn't roll away; the incredibly handy Corn Stripper, which removes kernels from the cob in one smooth, easy motion; and the Corn Brush, which removes stubborn corn silk easily.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of removes
Verb
  • But Hannah, who sees his true good nature, forgives him.
    — Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 22 May 2026
  • While The Pitt forgives and empathizes with Robby’s flaws, Robby is not called on to extend that empathy to others.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of forgives
Verb
  • This stunning Amalfi Coast boutique hotel overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea, and guests can enjoy their complimentary meal on a serene terrace.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The park recently expanded to incorporate the former Whirlpool and Devil’s Hole state parks, creating nearly five miles of continuous trails and overlooks along the Niagara Gorge.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of overlooks
Verb
  • On average, the same place experiences totality only once every 300 to 400 years, which explains why they’re often described as once-in-a-lifetime events.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • In Meridian, that’s a motorcycle In Meridian, officials are confident that Idaho law already has a section that explains the rules for e-motorcycles, the increasingly popular devices that can in some cases get up to 80 mph.
    — Rose Evans August 4, Idaho Statesman, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of explains
Verb
  • Microsoft’s stock climbed close to 15% after its earnings, which Cohan attributes to revenue growth that justifies its AI infrastructure spending and is bringing it more business.
    — Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • For companies looking to recover duties already paid, Sharad said the first step is determining who served as the importer of record and whether the potential refund justifies the administrative effort.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of justifies
Verb
  • The former Washington Commanders starter is competing for the backup job behind Dak Prescott in what head coach Brian Schottenheimer declared an open competition, though Howell has thrown just 14 passes over the past two seasons.
    — Nick Harris. Story produced with AI assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Despite these audacious moments, Bouaddi generally keeps things simple in possession, favouring quick, safe passes over more ambitious ones.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of passes over
Verb
  • 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
  • In this case, the vote also papers over Democrats’ internal divisions, given that the caucus is divided between hawkish Democrats sympathetic to attacking Iran and those who reject the attack outright.
    — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026
Definition of papers over

Browse Nearby Words

shrugs
shrugs off
shrunk
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Cite this Entry

“Shrugs off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrugs%20off. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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