shrug
to raise and contract (the shoulders), expressing indifference, disdain, etc.
to raise and contract the shoulders.
the movement of raising and contracting the shoulders.
a short sweater or jacket that ends above or at the waistline.
shrug off,
to disregard; minimize: to shrug off an insult.
to rid oneself of: to shrug off the effects of a drug.
Origin of shrug
1Other words from shrug
- un·shrug·ging, adjective
Words Nearby shrug
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
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 DiegoWhen 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 PostThe 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 | ProPublicaHe 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.
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.
The Internet’s Latest Pearl-Clutching Panic Over Mamading Is Insane | Emily Shire | July 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThen 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 WillsHe 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 QueuxGo 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
/ (ʃrʌɡ) /
to draw up and drop (the shoulders) abruptly in a gesture expressing indifference, contempt, ignorance, etc
the gesture so made
a woman's short jacket or close-fitting cardigan
Origin of shrug
1Collins 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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