shrug off

verb

shrugged off; shrugging off; shrugs off

transitive verb

1

: to shake off

shrugging off sleep

2

: to brush aside : minimize

shrugs off the problem

3

: to remove (a garment) by wriggling out

Synonyms of shrug off

• ignore
• forgive
• overlook
• explain
• pass over
• justify

Examples of shrug off in a Sentence

an administration that was willing to shrug off the problem

she shrugged off her coat and hung it up neatly

Recent Examples on the Web

Moraitis shrugged off the fact that her opponent won Herbst’s endorsement. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Barclays strategists argue the market could even shrug off a one percentage point rise in rates. — Daren Fonda, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026

The president has sought to shrug off concerns about affordability, claiming the economy is booming. — Melissa Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Topping up the battery takes 90 minutes, according to Shift Robotics, and an IP54 rating means the shoes shrug off splashes but would not enjoy a swim. — New Atlas, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shrug off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

shrug off

verb

1

: to brush aside as not important

2

: to take off (a garment) by wriggling out