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View synonyms for shrug

shrug

[ shruhg ]

verb (used with object)

, shrugged, shrug·ging.
  1. to raise and contract (the shoulders), expressing indifference, disdain, etc.


verb (used without object)

, shrugged, shrug·ging.
  1. to raise and contract the shoulders.

noun

  1. the movement of raising and contracting the shoulders.
  2. a short sweater or jacket that ends above or at the waistline.

verb phrase

    1. to disregard; minimize:

      to shrug off an insult.

    2. to rid oneself of:

      to shrug off the effects of a drug.

shrug

/ ʃrʌɡ /

verb

  1. to draw up and drop (the shoulders) abruptly in a gesture expressing indifference, contempt, ignorance, etc
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


noun

  1. the gesture so made
  2. a woman's short jacket or close-fitting cardigan
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Words From

  • un·shrugging adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of shrug1

1350–1400; (v.) Middle English schruggen to shudder, shrug < ?; (noun) late Middle English shrugge a tug, pull, derivative of the v.
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Word History and Origins

Origin of shrug1

C14: of uncertain origin
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Example Sentences

He said he got so fed up with the subcontractor’s shrugs and evasions that he started taking jobs elsewhere.

When Thornburg pressed her for details about what exactly she had written into the form, she got a shrug emoji in response.

The Labor Department, faced with Arise’s refusal, responded with what amounted to a shoulder shrug.

He looked up and waved and gave a shrug of his shoulders, like “I don’t know.”

From Time

“It’s better for all of them not to talk to me,” the activist said with a shrug, but a tear could be seen welling up on the screen.

“The girls I used to race with would just pull their pants around their ankles and hang off the back,” Ralphie says with I shrug.

Mason ambles through life, free to enjoy the little moments and shrug off the big ones, just like his father did before him.

Around my own friends, someone will wind up a conversation with a shrug and a baffling—to me—utterance of “Haters gonna hate.”

Of course this gets at the heart of why some attacks on black Republicans inspire a shrug.

Yet, relative to the massive amount of attention, shock, and criticism, I can only muster a shrug and a plea to chill out.

Then he spat upon the ground, and with an exaggerated shrug of his shoulders re-entered the house.

He claps on his bowler-hat, gives another amazed look round, says with a shrug, "Unusual!"

"We shall see," replied Sir Hugh, with a shrug of his shoulders, as the other strode out of his room.

Go to your Mr. Bidlake, see him shrug his shoulders and laugh, and then watch while your cousin—your cousin!

"I haven't changed my ideas one bit," she said, with a shrug, as Gwynne rose and came towards her.

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shrub layershrug off