SHRUG OFF Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

shrug off

verb

Definition of shrug off

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

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

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 shrug off By the week’s end, countries with ties to Tehran had so far shrugged off the threat and analysts were left underwhelmed by the US actions. — Yash Roy, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026 Equity markets have also largely shrugged off the potential ramifications of the conflict, with global stocks seeing a broad rally this year as corporate earnings optimism outweighed concerns about the war's implications for the world economy. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 Part of it is that more women are speaking up about hair loss, shrugging off the stigma and reaching out for help. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 25 Aug. 2026 The principal targets of a US effort to use economic leverage to end the Iran war largely shrugged off Washington’s announcement. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrug off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrug off

Verb

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has denied accusations that the government ignored warnings about an impending mass border crossing from Morocco to the enclave of Ceuta.

— Jack Guy, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
The numbers are impossible to ignore, while Boteli’s bustling physical profile — two-footed, quick, and comfortable through the middle or out wide — means that a move to Europe’s top five leagues will soon be on the cards.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of ignore

Verb

The cores or plugs removed from the lawn during aeration actually increase the success of overseeding by providing more direct contact between the seeds and the soil.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
If coverings could not be removed, visitors would be charged for a day pass or a pass replacement.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of remove

Verb

Those visitors might have been forgiven for wondering what a building that looked like the Starship Enterprise had to do with national self-determination.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026
Any remaining eligible balance may be forgiven after 25 years of qualifying payments.

— Maya Benjamin,Dan Avery, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of forgive

Verb

Poppe said the company was putting off $2 billion in work — not for wildfire mitigation or safety, but for housing developments, renewable energy projects and other efforts.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Diana and Lana’s trip was put off due to the death of Marks’s father in South Africa at the end of July.

— Allie Merriam, Vanity Fair, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of put off

Verb

Travel gear deals While the bigger-ticket Labor Day weekend deals come in the form of flights and hotels, don't overlook retail sales.

— Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
Many of the 76 rooms and suites include private terraces overlooking Gran Via with the upper floor rooms facing the ornate gold dome of the Metropolis, one of Madrid’s most famous buildings.

— Eddi Fiegel, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of overlook

Verb

One of the questions, directed to David Hunt, director of finance for Entergy Arkansas, asks him to explain the reasoning for the classification of the payments.

— Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
Bernadette explains the racial nuances the Guardians might not know as newcomers to Earth, echoing the landmark 1971 Green Lantern/Green Arrow comic series, which attempts to bring the space cops down to Earth by exposing them to racial strife.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

He’s particularly drawn to episodes that are discomforting for his countrymen—the Dreyfus Affair, and, a recent obsession, French accommodation in Nazi rule during the Occupation, a national embarrassment that was long passed over in silence.

— David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Shortly after being passed over, she was presented with Alias.

— Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of pass over

Verb

Long-term resource potential Technical performance alone cannot justify a project; economic balance governs actual field deployment.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
The prosecution and defense both gave closing arguments Tuesday during the second preliminary hearing since July, which is a limited purpose proceeding held for a judge to determine whether the charges are justified.

— Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of justify

Browse Nearby Words

shrugging off

shrug off

shrugs

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“Shrug off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrug%20off. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of shrug off

verb

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