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 Perhaps the most well-known is BPA, which was used in baby bottles and sippy cups in the United States until parents started to shun it over health fears. Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025 She is known to shun socializing and drinking with her peers. Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025 Central banks around the world — including the Federal Reserve — could soon become big buyers of bitcoin, after historically shunning the cryptocurrency, according to the Deutsche Bank Research Institute. Sarah Min, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025 How exactly did everyone start wearing baggy jeans as of late, shunning the skinny, body-hugging styles that once dominated tastemakers’ closets? Kristina Rutkowski, Footwear News, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shun
Verb
  • For those affected, avoiding even trace amounts of eggs is essential, making accurate labeling critical.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
  • For less hustle and bustle, busiest avoid traveling Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday.
    Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • These treatments aim to create a renewable source of beta cells or to help maintain existing beta cells by shielding them from the immune system or enabling them to evade it.
    Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025
  • While stealth jets have various tricks to evade traditional radars with some success, the quantum radars might prove to be a game changer in the long run.
    Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Most likely their presence would have forced the Americans to postpone their efforts to escape.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The dog had allegedly been wearing an electronic fence collar to prevent it from escaping its residence.
    Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shun. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on shun

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