1
as in to ignore
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 to remove
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 shrug off
But Edgecombe shrugged off any notion that his fall will hinder him going forward in this series.
—
CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
That such a blunder might be shrugged off and even celebrated, rather than shamefully shunted away, struck Schuch as a very American notion.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
While economists say China has largely shrugged off the initial impacts of the Iran war, some are warning its massive export engine could be hit more significantly in the coming months on slower global economic growth.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Of course, were the Strait of Hormuz blockade to stand alone, the damage might be easy to shrug off.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrug off
CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
That such a blunder might be shrugged off and even celebrated, rather than shamefully shunted away, struck Schuch as a very American notion.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
While economists say China has largely shrugged off the initial impacts of the Iran war, some are warning its massive export engine could be hit more significantly in the coming months on slower global economic growth.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Of course, were the Strait of Hormuz blockade to stand alone, the damage might be easy to shrug off.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrug off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrug off
Verb
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The federal judge in that case ruled that a jury could find that State Farm had acted in bad faith if the plaintiffs' lawyers demonstrated that the company ignored certain kinds of hail damage.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
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In crush, puncture, and saw tests, the battery produced no smoke or flames – a safety profile that's hard to ignore.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 28,
New Atlas,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Robinson was among 425 volunteers spreading out from four different locations on Saturday throughout Waukegan, removing trash from the lakefront, the city’s downtown and its neighborhoods, ending eight days of active environmental stewardship during the city’s fifth-annual Earth Week cleanup.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Creamy, hydrating cleansers maintain the moisture barrier while still removing dirt and makeup effectively.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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From the outside, the enormous former glove factory still resembles a warehouse, and from the store’s towering façade alone, first timers would be forgiven for thinking there’s no way the entire interior could be filled with books.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
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In the Catholic tradition, a bad action doesn’t make someone a bad person; good people can sin and be forgiven.—
Elias Wachtel,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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It shouldn’t be overlooked that the Spurs were able to win a playoff game on the road without their franchise cornerstone.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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During the journey, visitors can stop at 12 different points of interest and overlooks that showcase the area’s diverse scenery.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Correcting a deficiency is one of the most accessible interventions in everyday health and now there’s a compelling new reason to stop putting off that conversation.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
30 Apr. 2026
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Do not be put off by doors slamming.—
Kara Alaimo,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Besides the driver, an amiable man who was happy to explain how the shredder worked, only a few nervous schoolchildren stood around, supervised by a woman with a badge that identified her as an envoy of the library.—
Mary Norris,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
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The bulletin examined nutrition in common foods (especially meat, bread, and milk), explained how the body uses food as fuel, outlined dietary standards, and considered the economy of food, food waste, and connections between food and health.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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However, Los Angeles was passed over.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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O’Neill was passed over in 2024 to run Nike (Elliott Hill came out of retirement for the gig) after a quarter century at the sneaker maker.—
Shelly Banjo,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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So far, that skepticism has appeared justified.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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This seeming deference to executive interests is particularly difficult to justify in an administration willing to flout court orders.—
Gregg Nunziata,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrug off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrug%20off. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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