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
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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
Bloomberg News, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
The only short-term answers are shaming, shunning, and mockery—and punishment at the polls.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2026
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
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
Traders are shunning debt as oil extends its surge past $100, triggering broad panic in Asia over commodity import costs.
—Bloomberg News, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
The only short-term answers are shaming, shunning, and mockery—and punishment at the polls.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shunning
Noun
-
Maritim Marina Bay Resort & Casino, Vlore Located along the picturesque coastline of Vlore, the Maritim Marina Bay Resort & Casino is another high-end escape, this time with panoramic ocean views.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
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Demonstrators tried to prevent their escape as Lang threw himself and his goat into the truck.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And is there something to gain—politically, economically, or diplomatically—by avoiding conflict?—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
-
While many bulk carriers have strong links with China in terms of ownership, operation and cargo, the actual effectiveness of declaring themselves as China-linked in avoiding attacks is unclear, said Rico Luman, a senior economist at the Dutch bank ING who focuses on transport and logistics.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That deliberate avoidance of Boo’s story is telling.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
-
According to former federal officials, cartels’ avoidance of deliberately targeting Americans is rooted less in ideology and more in risk management.—
Armando Regil Velasco,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Biden said partnerships were evading $100 billion in taxes.—
Julie Z. Weil,
Washington Post,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Armond Langford, 32, is facing multiple charges including robbery, kidnapping, assault, wanton endangerment, fleeing/evading police, burglary and persistent felony offender.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The refusal to answer is itself an answer, at least for fans trained to read Maas’s evasions as meaningful.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
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Boston Quality Clean Services owner Jean Brito, 47, of Woburn, faces five counts each of tax evasion and making or subscribing false tax returns for his business.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
MacTaggart is part of a throng of young people who are turning to analog hobbies and activities as a means of escaping technology and reconnecting with childlike creativity and exploration.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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Though mostly ground-dwelling and preferring to run, pheasants can perch to avoid predators and reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour when escaping danger.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shunning. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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