as in escape
the act or a means of getting or keeping away from something undesirable
this shunning of your financial responsibilities cannot continue indefinitely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in avoiding
to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery
just a ruse to shun the debt collectors
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 shunning
Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025
In 1977, a measles epidemic that killed two children in Los Angeles County spurred a dramatic crackdown on vaccine-shunning across the country.
—Arthur Allen, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
In 1977, a measles epidemic that killed two children in Los Angeles County spurred a dramatic crackdown on vaccine-shunning across the country.
—Arthur Allen, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
David G. Allan Feb 15, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
At the same time, new advocacy groups like The Jewish Majority and the Movement Against Antizionism have called for shunning those expressing anti-Zionist or anti-Israel sentiment from Judaism’s big tent.
—Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
And a whole succession of leaders from countries that are nominally still American allies — Britain, Germany, South Korea — are wooing rather than shunning Beijing to deepen economic cooperation.
—Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
In fact, a number of Atlanta’s suburbs are shunning the drivable strip malls of yesteryear in favor of live-work-play districts such as Alpharetta’s Avalon.
—Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Goff said the decision was not based on concerns that air travelers were shunning Avelo because of its involvement in deportations.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2026
Sheinbaum, following in the steps of her predecessor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in shunning international travel, has made few trips abroad during her tenure.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025
With his loyalty, easy-going nature and no ego, always shunning the spotlight, Pietranton had the innate ability to turn colleagues into lifelong friends who are now mourning his loss.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2025
The viral video, shared to TikTok by the canine's owner @sean_not_the_shee on November 10, shows a small white Maltipoo sitting contentedly on a pee pad, shunning the cozy designer dog beds provided.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
Noun
The concept, in its original form, described a tendency on the political left to react to minor ideological or linguistic offenses by demanding firings or social shunning, demands often reinforced by outraged social-media mobs.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025
In 1977, a measles epidemic that killed two children in Los Angeles County spurred a dramatic crackdown on vaccine-shunning across the country.
—Arthur Allen, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
In 1977, a measles epidemic that killed two children in Los Angeles County spurred a dramatic crackdown on vaccine-shunning across the country.
—Arthur Allen, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
Over the decades the classic ski look has been complimented by Norwegian sweaters, glare-shunning sunglasses and furry boots.
—David G. Allan Feb 15, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
At the same time, new advocacy groups like The Jewish Majority and the Movement Against Antizionism have called for shunning those expressing anti-Zionist or anti-Israel sentiment from Judaism’s big tent.
—Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
And a whole succession of leaders from countries that are nominally still American allies — Britain, Germany, South Korea — are wooing rather than shunning Beijing to deepen economic cooperation.
—Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
In fact, a number of Atlanta’s suburbs are shunning the drivable strip malls of yesteryear in favor of live-work-play districts such as Alpharetta’s Avalon.
—Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Goff said the decision was not based on concerns that air travelers were shunning Avelo because of its involvement in deportations.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2026
Sheinbaum, following in the steps of her predecessor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in shunning international travel, has made few trips abroad during her tenure.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025
With his loyalty, easy-going nature and no ego, always shunning the spotlight, Pietranton had the innate ability to turn colleagues into lifelong friends who are now mourning his loss.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2025
The viral video, shared to TikTok by the canine's owner @sean_not_the_shee on November 10, shows a small white Maltipoo sitting contentedly on a pee pad, shunning the cozy designer dog beds provided.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shunning
Noun
-
After Stockton registered an escape in the second period to extend the lead to 4-0, Dyes was on the brink of swinging the momentum of the match with about 90 seconds left.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Smaller studios around the pool lack the same level of privacy but still offer a sweet escape.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
According to Ruby, seven of the 20 or so churches in G92, a Christian immigrant advocacy coalition in the city, are ready to offer physical sanctuary, though many are avoiding publicity for fear of harassment.—
Caitlin Hu,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
To do so, Nguyen advises maintaining proper form, controlling the weight through the full range of motion and avoiding any movement that causes sudden pain.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Current systems often prioritize speed and risk avoidance over relationship-building.—
Garrett Lucien,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The Berlin Film Festival has never been a stranger to politics, but this year’s edition has made headlines due to stars’ avoidance of the topic.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Folktales are filled with people fighting to survive in forests, steppes, and deserts, and evading and outwitting the wild beasts that dwell within them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Bottega Veneta’s perfume holder makes sure your travel-sized scent never ever rolls around at the bottom of your bag, evading your grip hand again.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The capital Rome has the highest rate of garbage tax evasion, according to the authorities, followed by Naples.—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Her assertion comes after Trump granted a pardon for her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion in 2022 and sentenced to 19 years in prison.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But a previous owner of the injection well noted in a report to the state that the well was missing a layer of cement that would help prevent the wastewater from escaping at shallow depths, where most drinking water sources exist, Plummer wrote in an email to oil division colleagues.—
Nick Bowlin,
The Frontier,
16 Feb. 2026
-
So much for escaping the bubble.—
The Editors,
Outside,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shunning. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
