as in avoided
to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery
just a ruse to shun the debt collectors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 shunned
Some Shiites self-flagellate and draw their own blood in public mourning practices that are controversial, fervently upheld by some while shunned or opposed by other Shiites.
—
ABC News,
25 June 2026
Being adopted by a white family, only to be shunned by the Native community, perpetuated his lifelong feeling of being an outsider.
—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
While Hollywood initially shunned the use of AI software over fears of job displacement and copyright infringement, prominent film studios are beginning to embrace them.
—
Rashi Shrivastava,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Intel has, to this point, shunned Pluton in favor of its business-only vPro security system, but that could always change.
—
Michael Muchmore,
PC Magazine,
23 June 2026
In 1980, Uncanny X-Men was one of the most influential comics at Marvel, attracting readers with its stories of heroes shunned by society, yet willing to don costumes and save a world that hated and feared them.
—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
Vampires represent those who have shunned their own humanity in order to achieve a nonexistent sense of superiority.
—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
Someone who was a bit more of a scientist, he was shunned.
—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
10 June 2026
Azcona, 47, said those who visit her botanica for blessings and spiritual cleansings have felt shunned in traditional religious settings, either because of their sexuality, tattoos or other factors.
—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
ABC News,
25 June 2026
Being adopted by a white family, only to be shunned by the Native community, perpetuated his lifelong feeling of being an outsider.
—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
While Hollywood initially shunned the use of AI software over fears of job displacement and copyright infringement, prominent film studios are beginning to embrace them.
—
Rashi Shrivastava,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Intel has, to this point, shunned Pluton in favor of its business-only vPro security system, but that could always change.
—
Michael Muchmore,
PC Magazine,
23 June 2026
In 1980, Uncanny X-Men was one of the most influential comics at Marvel, attracting readers with its stories of heroes shunned by society, yet willing to don costumes and save a world that hated and feared them.
—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
Vampires represent those who have shunned their own humanity in order to achieve a nonexistent sense of superiority.
—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
Someone who was a bit more of a scientist, he was shunned.
—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
10 June 2026
Azcona, 47, said those who visit her botanica for blessings and spiritual cleansings have felt shunned in traditional religious settings, either because of their sexuality, tattoos or other factors.
—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shunned
Verb
-
Malepeai, her co-defendant Freddie Lee Davis III, and two others who avoided federal charges were identified by police as members of a robbery crew that committed violent purse snatchings around the Bay Area.
-
After not being present for voluntary activities throughout the offseason, Pickens avoided a contract holdout situation and reported to The Star for the first time since the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Verb
-
California Highway Patrol arrested a Sacramento man who police say evaded arrest and stole a patrol car, the Sacramento Police Department announced Friday afternoon.
-
For years, Heuermann evaded law enforcement despite the discovery of four of the victims' remains in 2010.
Verb
-
Emilio Buitrago, who was born in Venezuela but moved to Philadelphia in the 1990s, says his cousin narrowly escaped her apartment building during the earthquakes.
-
And this has not escaped Justice Alito's notice.
Cite this Entry
“Shunned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shunned. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
