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View synonyms for

shrug

[ shruhg ]

verb (used with object)

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


verb (used without object)

shrugged, shrugging.
  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

/ ʃʌɡ /

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 Word Forms

  • ܲ·ܲgԲ 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

Examples have not been reviewed.

Throughout baseball history, such collisions have been met mostly with grimaces and shrugs.

From

Instead of shuddering at these words, too many Trump supporters — many of whom are professed Christians — simply shrug.

From

The main response to questions about the mayoral race was a shrug of the shoulders.

From

This time I had to shrug and remind myself: It’s a good thing I like cornflakes.

From

Soboroff said the mayor sent him a link to The Times’ story about his Harvard-Westlake remarks with the word “wow” and a shrug emoji.

From

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shrub layershrug off