shrug

[ shruhg ]

/ ʃrʌg /

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See synonyms for: shrug / shrugged / shrugging on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), shrugged, shrug·ging.

to raise and contract (the shoulders), expressing indifference, disdain, etc.

verb (used without object), shrugged, shrug·ging.

to raise and contract the shoulders.

noun

the movement of raising and contracting the shoulders.

a short sweater or jacket that ends above or at the waistline.

Verb Phrases

shrug off,

to disregard; minimize: to shrug off an insult.
to rid oneself of: to shrug off the effects of a drug.

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Origin of shrug

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

OTHER WORDS FROM shrug

un·shrug·ging, adjective

Words nearby shrug

shrub, shrubbery, shrubby, shrubby cinquefoil, shrub layer, shrug, shrug off, shrug one's shoulders, shrunk, shrunken, sht.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use shrug in a sentence

He said he got so fed up with the subcontractor’s shrugs and evasions that he started taking jobs elsewhere.
Wage Theft Is Common for Low-Level Workers, and Officials Are Starting to Take Notice|Jesse Marx and Maya Srikrishnan|May 19, 2021|Voice of San Diego
When Thornburg pressed her for details about what exactly she had written into the form, she got a shrug emoji in response.
Some people are lying to get vaccinated, and it’s testing their friendships|Ashley Fetters|March 25, 2021|Washington Post
The Labor Department, faced with Arise’s refusal, responded with what amounted to a shoulder shrug.
All a Gig-Economy Pioneer Had to Do Was “Politely Disagree” It Was Violating Federal Law and the Labor Department Walked Away|by Ken Armstrong, Justin Elliott and Ariana Tobin|January 22, 2021|ProPublica
He looked up and waved and gave a shrug of his shoulders, like “I don’t know.”
93-Year-Old Announcer Charlie Brotman Just Served in His 16th Inauguration. Here's Why He's Still Honored to Do the Job|Melissa August|January 20, 2021|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.
A new movie about Jamal Khashoggi reveals a protégé who is alive and under assault|Steven Zeitchik|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
“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.
Inside Sailing’s Biggest Race|Lizzie Crocker|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mason ambles through life, free to enjoy the little moments and shrug off the big ones, just like his father did before him.
Black 'Boyhood' Is Always Black First, Boy Later|Teo Bugbee|August 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Around my own friends, someone will wind up a conversation with a shrug and a baffling—to me—utterance of “Haters gonna hate.”
Why We Should Hate 'Haters Gonna Hate'|Tim Teeman|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of course this gets at the heart of why some attacks on black Republicans inspire a shrug.
The Secret War On Black Republicans|Keli Goff|July 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yet, relative to the massive amount of attention, shock, and criticism, I can only muster a shrug and a plea to chill out.
The Internet’s Latest Pearl-Clutching Panic Over Mamading Is Insane|Emily Shire|July 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then he spat upon the ground, and with an exaggerated shrug of his shoulders re-entered the house.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3)|Charles James Wills
He claps on his bowler-hat, gives another amazed look round, says with a shrug, "Unusual!"
First Plays|A. A. Milne
"We shall see," replied Sir Hugh, with a shrug of his shoulders, as the other strode out of his room.
The Doctor of Pimlico|William Le Queux
Go to your Mr. Bidlake, see him shrug his shoulders and laugh, and then watch while your cousin—your cousin!
The Everlasting Arms|Joseph Hocking
"I haven't changed my ideas one bit," she said, with a shrug, as Gwynne rose and came towards her.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton

British Dictionary definitions for shrug

shrug

/ (ʃrʌɡ) /

verb shrugs, shrugging or shrugged

to draw up and drop (the shoulders) abruptly in a gesture expressing indifference, contempt, ignorance, etc

noun

the gesture so made

a woman's short jacket or close-fitting cardigan

Word Origin for shrug

C14: of uncertain origin

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

shrug

Origin of shrug

OTHER WORDS FROM shrug

Words nearby shrug

Words related to shrug

How to use shrug in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for shrug

Word Origin for shrug