Word: shrugging

Associations

Shrugging is the action of raising your shoulders up and down. It often shows a lack of knowledge, indifference, or uncertainty about something.

• Example 1: "When I asked him if he knew where my book was, he just shrugged." (This means he didn't know or didn't care.)
• Example 2: "She shrugged when I suggested a plan for the weekend." (This shows she might not be interested in that plan.)
• Example 3: "After hearing the news, he simply shrugged his shoulders." (Indicating he felt indifferent to the news.)

A synonym for "shrugging" is "dismissive," but "dismissive" usually means rejecting or ignoring something more strongly than just showing uncertainty or indifference.

Substitution

In place of "shrugging," you could use:

• "ignoring" – conveys a stronger sense of refusal to acknowledge.
• "scoffing" – implies scornful dismissal.
• "waving off" – suggests lightly dismissing something without much concern.

Each option changes the feeling conveyed: "ignoring" implies denial, while "waving off" suggests a casual dismissal.

Deconstruction

The word "shrug" comes from the Old Norse word "skrugga," which means "to twist or bend."

• It doesn’t have a prefix or suffix that changes its meaning significantly.
• It connects to the idea of physical movement, where shoulders twist to show feelings.

Inquiry

• When was the last time you shrugged? What was the situation?
• How does shrugging feel compared to expressing your thoughts verbally?
• Can you think of a time when shrugging might not be the best response? Why?