shrug off

verb

shrugged off; shrugging off; shrugs off

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

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.
Former President and Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev has shrugged off President Donald Trump's latest moves on Ukraine. Shane Croucher john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025 Goldberg also looked strong while shrugging off chops from Gunther. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025 Soaring sales at exclusive Italian fashion line Brunello Cucinelli indicate the super-rich are shrugging off tariff concerns even as lesser luxury brands falter. Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 11 July 2025 Neither side has any major injury concerns going into this game after James returned for the first time since April against France, while Miedema shrugged off doubts over her appearance at the tournament, having not played since March. Oli Gamp, New York Times, 9 July 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shrug off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrug%20off. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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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