as in avoided
to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery
just a ruse to shun the debt collectors
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Recent Examples of shunned
But after being shunned by head coach Thomas Frank, his confidence looks low, a state of mind that wasn’t helped by putting his penalty over the bar in Wales’ World Cup play-off shootout defeat by Bosnia & Herzegovina in March.
—
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Given this, the bigger question is why the word hasn’t been shunned by the remaining 80 percent of us.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
None of the three had anything to do with the crimes committed by their husbands, but they’ve all been shunned by neighbors and friends, and viewed as accomplices by outsiders.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
Fairfax later tried to run for governor, some said to clear his name, but was largely shunned by Virginia Democrats.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Apr. 2026
As internet use became widespread in the mid-1900s, the Salt Lake Tribune and the rest of the newspaper industry faced worsening financial instability as more readers shunned the print product for online sources, and advertisers turned to digital media.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
If Anže Kopitar, the Kings’ leading scorer on both of their Cup runs and in franchise history, was understated and hesitant to embrace the spotlight, Quick was outwardly stoic and practically shunned attention.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 13 Apr. 2026
Stalwarts such as Chicago and Philadelphia (each +4%) that never got pricey to begin with are now reaping the benefits of being shunned in the pre-pandemic world.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
Xi’s outreach to Cheng came along with overt swipes at Taiwan’s current government under President Lai Ching-te, who is shunned by Beijing as a dangerous ‘separatist’ for rejecting China’s claim that Taiwan is its territory.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Given this, the bigger question is why the word hasn’t been shunned by the remaining 80 percent of us.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
None of the three had anything to do with the crimes committed by their husbands, but they’ve all been shunned by neighbors and friends, and viewed as accomplices by outsiders.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
Fairfax later tried to run for governor, some said to clear his name, but was largely shunned by Virginia Democrats.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Apr. 2026
As internet use became widespread in the mid-1900s, the Salt Lake Tribune and the rest of the newspaper industry faced worsening financial instability as more readers shunned the print product for online sources, and advertisers turned to digital media.
—ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026
If Anže Kopitar, the Kings’ leading scorer on both of their Cup runs and in franchise history, was understated and hesitant to embrace the spotlight, Quick was outwardly stoic and practically shunned attention.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 13 Apr. 2026
Stalwarts such as Chicago and Philadelphia (each +4%) that never got pricey to begin with are now reaping the benefits of being shunned in the pre-pandemic world.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
Xi’s outreach to Cheng came along with overt swipes at Taiwan’s current government under President Lai Ching-te, who is shunned by Beijing as a dangerous ‘separatist’ for rejecting China’s claim that Taiwan is its territory.
—Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shunned
Verb
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Given the importance of preserving relations with the FCC, which has a say over a range of local station matters and must approve any mergers involving the transfer of broadcast licenses, LeGeyt has deliberately avoided a direct clash with his Washington counterpart.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
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In Ukraine, Harry stepped into territory traditionally avoided by the royals.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Garcia sprinted off exiting through a side entrance and evaded authorities until cops nabbed him on March 25, 2026.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Gutiérrez worries that Trump’s eagerness for a trophy that has evaded 12 Democratic and Republican presidents could get the better of him.—
Joshua Goodman,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Nearly a year after 10 inmates escaped a New Orleans jail through a hole in the wall, a special grand jury has indicted the local sheriff on criminal corruption and obstruction charges in connection with the biggest jailbreak in recent American history.—
Greg Hilburn,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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Authorities said the 10 inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center in the early morning hours after climbing through a hole behind a toilet.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shunned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shunned. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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