shun
verb
ˈshən 
shunned; shunning
transitive verb
: to avoid deliberately and especially habitually
shuns publicity
shunner noun
Synonyms
- avoid
- dodge
- duck
- elude
- escape
- eschew
- evade
- finesse
- get around
- scape
- shake
- shirk
- shuffle (out of)
- weasel (out of)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He shuns parties and social events. After his divorce he found himself being shunned by many of his former friends.
Recent Examples on the Web Investors are clearly growing nervous again and are starting to shun riskier assets. 
Paul R. La Monica, CNN, 29 Aug. 2022 The president's divisiveness, Conway argued, has led fellow Democrats running for office to shun his presence at their campaign events. Charles Creitz, Fox News, 26 Aug. 2022 The kingdom’s economic jolt comes as Prince Mohammed is emerging from diplomatic isolation, now courted by U.S. and European officials after the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi led Western governments to shun the de facto Saudi leader. Rory Jones, WSJ, 14 Aug. 2022 That suit charges that the PGA Tour has engaged in anticompetitive behavior and coerced other entities in the golf world — the four majors, various vendors, courses — to shun LIV and its players. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 9 Aug. 2022 Hanging Chads: Hulu presses rewind on decision to shun political ads. Brigid Kennedy, The Week, 1 Aug. 2022 Already, Western appeals to convince Asian, African and Middle Eastern nations to shun Russia appear to have been ignored as Lavrov travels around the world. Matthew Lee, ajc, 29 July 2022 Europe’s decision to shun oil and refined gasoline from Russia has been a blessing for U.S. refiners, by tightening the global gasoline supply, as Europe increases its demand of imports from the Middle East and other locations. University Of Houston Energy Fellows, Forbes, 6 July 2022 This is how disinformation is weaponized to sow uncertainty about climate change and to cause rational, highly vaccinated people to shun COVID shots. Jeffrey M. O'brien, Fortune, 2 June 2022 See More
Paul R. La Monica, CNN, 29 Aug. 2022 The president's divisiveness, Conway argued, has led fellow Democrats running for office to shun his presence at their campaign events. Charles Creitz, Fox News, 26 Aug. 2022 The kingdom’s economic jolt comes as Prince Mohammed is emerging from diplomatic isolation, now courted by U.S. and European officials after the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi led Western governments to shun the de facto Saudi leader. Rory Jones, WSJ, 14 Aug. 2022 That suit charges that the PGA Tour has engaged in anticompetitive behavior and coerced other entities in the golf world — the four majors, various vendors, courses — to shun LIV and its players. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 9 Aug. 2022 Hanging Chads: Hulu presses rewind on decision to shun political ads. Brigid Kennedy, The Week, 1 Aug. 2022 Already, Western appeals to convince Asian, African and Middle Eastern nations to shun Russia appear to have been ignored as Lavrov travels around the world. Matthew Lee, ajc, 29 July 2022 Europe’s decision to shun oil and refined gasoline from Russia has been a blessing for U.S. refiners, by tightening the global gasoline supply, as Europe increases its demand of imports from the Middle East and other locations. University Of Houston Energy Fellows, Forbes, 6 July 2022 This is how disinformation is weaponized to sow uncertainty about climate change and to cause rational, highly vaccinated people to shun COVID shots. Jeffrey M. O'brien, Fortune, 2 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English shonen, shunnen, from Old English scunian
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
shun
verb
ˈshən
shunned; shunning
: to avoid purposely or by habit
He shunned noisy places.
shuns
verb
as in avoids
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
- avoids
- evades
- escapes
- eschews
- eludes
- prevents
- deflects
- dodges
- shirks
- eliminates
- shakes
- scapes
- finesses
- excludes
- precludes
- averts
- thwarts
- obviates
- ducks
- circumvents
- steers clear of
- fights shy of
- stays clear of
- weasels (out of)
- keeps clear of
- misses
- shuffles (out of)
- parries
- diverts
- debars
- gets around
- bans
- excepts
- outwits
- outsmarts
- bypasses
- rules out
- foils
- frustrates
- outfoxes
- wards (off)
- overreaches
- bars
- foxes
- skirts
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- seeks
- accepts
- embraces
- pursues
- welcomes
- incurs
- catches
- courts
- contracts