Synonym Chooser

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 The problem: Many of the veteran officials who previously worked on the West Coast — guys like Gregory Nixon, Tony Padilla, Michael Greenstein and Eric Curry — were shunned by the Big Ten and followed Higgins to the Big 12 consortium. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2025 The regional bloc had shunned high-level talks with Myanmar since the coup, to avoid legitimizing the junta. Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 May 2025 Mainstream parties have formally shunned the group, denying it any governing coalition roles. Scott Neuman, NPR, 2 May 2025 Amazon was a big beneficiary of the coronavirus crisis, as many shoppers shunned physical stores and turned to the online retailer for both essential and non-essential goods. Annie Palmer, CNBC, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for shun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shun
Verb
  • Hoerner avoided the tag, which would’ve been the second out of the inning.
    C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 26 May 2025
  • The collection avoids rigid standards by mixing tailored silhouettes with combat trousers and chunky sneakers.
    Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • The former prisoners who have continued to evade police for nearly a week include Leo Tate, Jermaine Donald, Derrick Groves, Lenton Vanburen and Antoine Massey, according to USA Today, while Corey Boyd, Gary Price, Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, and Dkenan Dennis have been re-arrested.
    Sean Neumann, People.com, 22 May 2025
  • Penguin Press, June 17 Image El Dorado Drive by Megan Abbott After skipping town to evade a nagging creditor in 2008, Harper returns to her Detroit suburb months later to find her two older sisters, once in the throes of debt, sporting fresh highlights and driving a Lexus.
    Laura Thompson, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • The focus shifts to Santino and Rosa, who quickly find that the initial euphoria of escaping routines doesn’t protect against relationship struggles.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 22 May 2025
  • The tumult did not escape the notice of opportunists elsewhere.
    Evan Drellich, New York Times, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shun. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on shun

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