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 It may have been shunned by Bridgerton, but Cheltenham is well worth a visit, not only for its period architecture and dreamy parks but for its independent spirit and lively event calendar. Vicky Smith, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025 Before Mexico forced cargo airlines to start using Felipe Angeles in 2022, all the major international airlines had shunned the airport that is so far from the center of Mexico City that is can take 2 1/2 hours to drive to the terminal. Preston Fore, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025 Trump has expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin but has not made good on threats to impose new sanctions on Russia for shunning peace negotiations. Jill Lawless, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025 Mall shoppers favored familiar names over an unknown Japanese brand that shunned logos, ignored trends, and rarely marked down prices. Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shun
Verb
  • Keep your shoulders relaxed and engage your core to avoid arching your back.
    Dana Santas, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Which cruise lines changed itineraries to avoid Hurricane Humberto, other weather?
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Slimy Lunch Meats Lunch meats are one of those things that often evade clean-outs.
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2025
  • But when the Coast Guard approached on a 45-foot response boat, authorities said, the cuddy cabin boat began racing south to evade arrest.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Previously, the story followed Zagreus, the painfully cool son of Hades who spent his days making a break for the surface world to escape the overbearing grip of his father.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Despite sustaining some minor injuries — Ethan sustained several cuts, scrapes and bruises while Brandon sustained a small burn on his forehead and scarring on his hands — the pair escaped relatively unscathed, physically.
    Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shun. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on shun

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