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. 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

noun

1. the gesture so made
2. a woman's short jacket or close-fitting cardigan

Other Words From

• un·shrugging adjective

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shrug¹

C14: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Operating on the assumption that 4B amounts a "sex strike," it's easy for opinion writers to shrug it off as ineffectual and unlikely to gain momentum.

From Salon

Schiff, however, gave a rhetorical shrug.

From Los Angeles Times

“Sometimes, it is our fault,” Papi said with a shrug.

From Los Angeles Times

Republicans in leadership, and many of their fans, have historically been able to shrug off accusations of moral grotesquery because they are safely installed in their cocoon of conformity; the monsters must be the other guys, the ones outside the boundaries.

From Slate

Conservative cable pundits have been dislocating their shoulders trying to shrug the matter off.

From Slate

Related Words

• bounce
• bump
• fling
• flop
• hurtle
• jolt
• lug
• snatch
• thrust
• tug
• twitch
• wiggle
• wrench
• wriggle
• wring
• yank