shrug

1 of 2

verb

ˈshrəg How to pronounce shrug (audio)
especially Southern ˈsrəg
shrugged; shrugging
Synonyms of shrugnext

intransitive verb

: to raise or draw in the shoulders especially to express aloofness, indifference, or uncertainty

transitive verb

: to lift or contract (the shoulders) especially to express aloofness, indifference, or uncertainty

shrug

2 of 2

noun

1
: an act of shrugging
2
: a woman's small waist-length or shorter jacket

Examples of shrug in a Sentence

Verb I asked if he wanted to go out to dinner, and he just shrugged. He just shrugged his shoulders.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
There will be no points deduction for the secret payments in the Roman Abramovich era that, rather awkwardly, helped to put Chelsea into such a position that £10m is the kind of money inside Stamford Bridge to be shrugged at. — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 Belichick shrugged that off Friday, saying he was used to being disliked. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 17 July 2026
Noun
After so many games this season, some version of that adage, a verbal shrug and a nod to how unpredictable the sport is, has been uttered in the Padres clubhouse. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2026 Federal law protects Americans from one kind of theft and shrugs at another. — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrug

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English schruggen

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shrug was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing shrug

Rhymes for shrug

See All Rhymes for shrug

Browse Nearby Words

shruff
shrug
shrug away
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shrug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrug. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shrug

verb
ˈshrəg
shrugged; shrugging
: to draw or hunch up the shoulders usually to express doubt, uncertainty, or lack of interest
shrug noun

More from Merriam-Webster on shrug

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shrug

Nglish: Translation of shrug for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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