SHUN Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'shun' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of shun are avoid , elude , escape , eschew , and evade . While all these words mean "to get away or keep away from something," shun often implies an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy and may imply repugnance or abhorrence. // you have shunned your responsibilities

Q: Where would 'avoid' be a reasonable alternative to 'shun'?

In some situations, the words avoid and shun are roughly equivalent. However, avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty. // try to avoid past errors

Q: When can 'elude' be used instead of 'shun'?

While the synonyms elude and shun are close in meaning, elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes. // what she sees in him eludes me

Q: When is 'escape' a more appropriate choice than 'shun'?

The synonyms escape and shun are sometimes interchangeable, but escape stresses the fact of getting away or being passed by not necessarily through effort or by conscious intent. // nothing escapes her sharp eyes

Q: When might 'eschew' be a better fit than 'shun'?

While in some cases nearly identical to shun , eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful. // a playwright who eschews melodrama

Q: In what contexts can 'evade' take the place of 'shun'?

Although the words evade and shun have much in common, evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding. // evaded the question by changing the subject

shun

verb

ˈshən

Definition of shun next

as in to avoid

to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery just a ruse to shun the debt collectors

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb shun contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of shun are avoid, elude, escape, eschew, and evade. While all these words mean "to get away or keep away from something," shun often implies an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy and may imply repugnance or abhorrence.

you have shunned your responsibilities

Where would avoid be a reasonable alternative to shun?

In some situations, the words avoid and shun are roughly equivalent. However, avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty.

try to avoid past errors

When can elude be used instead of shun?

While the synonyms elude and shun are close in meaning, elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes.

what she sees in him eludes me

When is escape a more appropriate choice than shun?

The synonyms escape and shun are sometimes interchangeable, but escape stresses the fact of getting away or being passed by not necessarily through effort or by conscious intent.

nothing escapes her sharp eyes

When might eschew be a better fit than shun?

While in some cases nearly identical to shun, eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful.

a playwright who eschews melodrama

In what contexts can evade take the place of shun?

Although the words evade and shun have much in common, evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding.

evaded the question by changing the subject

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of shun Only one person in the area hasn’t shunned her, and that’s the local bar owner Ledger Ward, who becomes an important part of Kenna’s life. —

Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024 When challenged publicly, critics are belittled and shunned. —

Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024 Back then, my family threatened to shun and kick me out, but at the same time I was told everyone had my best interests in mind. —

Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025 As the country music community shunned the group, their album and tour sales were decimated. —

Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for shun

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shun

Verb

Also, avoid flying on Sundays and Mondays, which tend to be the most expensive due to weekend trips and business travelers, according to 2024 data from flight app Hopper.

— Amelia Edelman, NPR, 25 Jan. 2025
And no one still with this organization will avoid the sting of Rantanen’s being traded.

— Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025