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 House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also shrugged off some of the early stumbles, arguing that Musk and DOGE are committed to quickly correcting mistakes. Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025 Once a player finds a few pieces of warm clothing, even the most bone-chilling wind could be shrugged off without a second thought. Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2025 The Kremlin, in turn, has thus far been able to shrug off Ukraine’s strikes. Raphael S. Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 18 Feb. 2025 In the Upper Midwest, many residents — including the animals — shrugged off the cold. Nazaneen Ghaffar, New York Times, 18 Feb. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Shrug off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrug%20off. Accessed 27 Feb. 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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