shrug off

verb

shrugged off; shrugging off; shrugs off
Synonyms of shrug offnext

transitive verb

1
: to shake off
shrugging off sleep
2
: to brush aside : minimize
shrugs off the problem
3
: to remove (a garment) by wriggling out

Synonyms of shrug off

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Examples of shrug off in a Sentence

an administration that was willing to shrug off the problem she shrugged off her coat and hung it up neatly
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The team shrugs off criticism that the end result was overbudget and overdue. — Lauren Victory, CBS News, 20 June 2026 For the most part, however, the market shrugged off those arguments and the buying continued. — Andrew Graham, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 His campaign shrugged off the unflattering survey data. — Matthew Kelly updated June 26, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026 For years, megacap tech companies with hefty balance sheets have been able to shrug off rising rates, which tend to weigh more heavily on smaller, less-profitable peers. — Kate Rooney, CNBC, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrug off

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shrug off was in 1902

Rhymes for shrug off

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Browse Nearby Words

shruggingly
shrug off
shrunken
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Cite this Entry

“Shrug off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrug%20off. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shrug off

verb
1
: to brush aside as not important
2
: to take off (a garment) by wriggling out
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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