shrugged; shrugging
: to raise or draw in the shoulders especially to express aloofness, indifference, or uncertainty
: to lift or contract (the shoulders) especially to express aloofness, indifference, or uncertainty
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
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 4 Feb. 2026
In November, when asked by The Hollywood Reporter about his job security under a takeover — at the time, Paramount was in pole position — Bloys shrugged it off.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
Why did Apple's blowout earnings get a shrug?
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrug
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Verb
Plyler shrugged at such a question.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 4 Feb. 2026
In November, when asked by The Hollywood Reporter about his job security under a takeover — at the time, Paramount was in pole position — Bloys shrugged it off.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
For all the buildup, this may be less a showdown than a shrug-off.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
Why did Apple's blowout earnings get a shrug?
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrug
Cite this Entry
“Shrug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrug. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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