shrug
verb (used with object)
to raise and contract (the shoulders), expressing indifference, disdain, etc.
had been shrugging
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past perfect progressiveof shrug.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The sudden shift in the outlook surprised a market that had been shrugging off earlier signals of lower late-January temperatures.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 21, 2026
