SHUN Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'shun' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of shun are avoid , elude , escape , eschew , and evade . While all these words mean "to get away or keep away from something," shun often implies an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy and may imply repugnance or abhorrence. // you have shunned your responsibilities

Q: Where would 'avoid' be a reasonable alternative to 'shun'?

In some situations, the words avoid and shun are roughly equivalent. However, avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty. // try to avoid past errors

Q: When can 'elude' be used instead of 'shun'?

While the synonyms elude and shun are close in meaning, elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes. // what she sees in him eludes me

Q: When is 'escape' a more appropriate choice than 'shun'?

The synonyms escape and shun are sometimes interchangeable, but escape stresses the fact of getting away or being passed by not necessarily through effort or by conscious intent. // nothing escapes her sharp eyes

Q: When might 'eschew' be a better fit than 'shun'?

While in some cases nearly identical to shun , eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful. // a playwright who eschews melodrama

Q: In what contexts can 'evade' take the place of 'shun'?

Although the words evade and shun have much in common, evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding. // evaded the question by changing the subject

shun

verb

ˈshən

Definition of shun next

as in to avoid

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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How does the verb shun contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of shun are avoid, elude, escape, eschew, and evade. While all these words mean "to get away or keep away from something," shun often implies an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy and may imply repugnance or abhorrence.

you have shunned your responsibilities

Where would avoid be a reasonable alternative to shun?

In some situations, the words avoid and shun are roughly equivalent. However, avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty.

try to avoid past errors

When can elude be used instead of shun?

While the synonyms elude and shun are close in meaning, elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes.

what she sees in him eludes me

When is escape a more appropriate choice than shun?

The synonyms escape and shun are sometimes interchangeable, but escape stresses the fact of getting away or being passed by not necessarily through effort or by conscious intent.

nothing escapes her sharp eyes

When might eschew be a better fit than shun?

While in some cases nearly identical to shun, eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful.

a playwright who eschews melodrama

In what contexts can evade take the place of shun?

Although the words evade and shun have much in common, evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding.

evaded the question by changing the subject

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 shun Another test found that those engaging with the arts at least once a week were at least a year younger biologically than those who shunned such activities. —

News Desk, Artforum, 13 May 2026 Paige has talked about how she was shunned. —

Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026 The bills do not require developers to build affordable, accessible housing on a statewide basis and the SSMMA says developers have long shunned certain communities in the south suburbs, in Chicago and historically Black and brown communities. —

Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026 Its leaders have been working to rebuild relations with Arab and Western countries that had shunned Syria under former President Bashar Assad, who was ousted in December 2024 by rebels, who then installed a new government. —

Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for shun

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shun

Verb

The problem is, when your side lack intensity, aggression and cohesion, those traps are easy to spot and avoid.

— Carl Anka, New York Times, 17 May 2026
October 23 – November 21 The real conversation is probably the one everyone has been avoiding.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026

Definition of avoid

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shuls

shun

shunned

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“Shun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shun. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of shun

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