shun

verb \ ˈshən \

|Updated on: 18 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: shun in a Sentence

Definition of shun

shunned; shunning

transitive verb

: to avoid deliberately and especially habitually

shuns publicity

—

shunner

noun

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Examples of shun in a Sentence

He shuns parties and social events.
After his divorce he found himself being shunned by many of his former friends.

Recent Examples of shun from the Web

From the moment that Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement last month, media members have been stoking fear that Trump’s replacement would outlaw abortions and turn America into a nation that shuns liberal ideology.

— brian flood, Fox News, "Mainstream media will pile on 'conservative' label to Trump's Supreme Court pick, study shows," 10 July 2018
But since then there have been instances of record-breaking outbreaks, mostly among unvaccinated individuals and groups that shun vaccination.

— naseem s. miller, OrlandoSentinel.com, "4 measles cases reported in Florida this month," 29 May 2018
There has been recurring speculation that Apple might try to buy Netflix, a deal that would probably cost at least $150 billion and would break the mold for a company that has shunned major acquisitions through its history.

— michael liedtke, chicagotribune.com, "U.S. tax cuts fuel Apple's plan for $100 billion stock buyback," 1 May 2018
There has been recurring speculation that Apple might try to buy Netflix, a deal that would probably cost at least $150 billion and would break the mold for a company that has shunned major acquisitions through its history.

— michael liedtke, BostonGlobe.com, "Apple’s tax break yields big dividend boost, stock buybacks," 1 May 2018
And the fact that teams are individually shunning him rather than doing so in concert makes the punitive nature of it even more stark.

— andrew brandt, SI.com, "It’s Clear Now: Colin Kaepernick Will Not Be Signed," 17 Apr. 2018
And if a family doesn’t allow their daughter to undergo FGM, the community may shun them.

— katherine mckenzie, STAT, "Millions have been traumatized by female genital mutilation. The practice must end," 29 Mar. 2018
Of note are empanadas de amarillo, not little sealed pockets of dough but plate-wide tortillas folded around a yellow mole that shuns sweetness, rich with chicken broth and yerba santa, like a rinse of root beer.

— ligaya mishan, New York Times, "An Ex-Bodega Takes a Star Turn at Cienega Las Tlayudas de Oaxaca," 15 Mar. 2018
Both gun-rights advocates and those pushing for gun control agree on these facts but use them to different effect: One side tells women to shun the tool of their tormentor.

— ben wofford, Glamour, "The NRA's Most Wanted Customer: Women," 28 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shun.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of shun

Middle English shonen, shunnen, from Old English scunian

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

shun Synonyms

Phrases

fight shy of, keep clear of, stay clear of, steer clear of;

Synonym Discussion of shun

escape, avoid, evade, elude, shun, eschew mean to get away or keep away from something. escape stresses the fact of getting away or being passed by not necessarily through effort or by conscious intent.