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
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
So why are investors shunning this particular flavor of risk?
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
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
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
So why are investors shunning this particular flavor of risk?
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
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
-
But Jack, the most sensible and straitlaced of the lot, may finally be making his escape, thanks to the normalizing influence of his merely quite privileged girlfriend Martha (Elle Fanning).—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Once so consumed by her races during the Olympics, Bowe said getting to watch and cheer for Knight has been a welcome escape from her own preparation and stress.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The battery is reported to retain more than 90 percent of its driving range even at –40 degrees Celsius, avoiding the sharp winter degradation commonly associated with both LFP and nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Sokolowski also recommends avoiding misting your refrigerator with water directly—always apply it to a microfiber cloth first.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Monitoring and documentation requirements of releases are merely recommended, and avoidance and minimization of adverse impacts to animals, plants and the public are left up to the industry.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
These physiological responses are now part of a wider conversation about rising instances of school avoidance among neurodiverse adolescents.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
He was also charged with evading arrest the same day.—
Katey Psencik,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The teen was arrested on suspicion of crimes including assaulting a person with a semi-automatic firearm, brandishing a firearm, negligently discharging a firearm, evading a peace officer and driving under the influence of alcohol, the sheriff’s office said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In addition to fiscal challenges, the district has been grappling with the indictment of former superintendent Devon Horton, who is facing federal charges, along with three of his associates, for wire fraud, embezzlement and tax evasion.—
Alexandra Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In 2022, Carew was sentenced to 14 months in prison after pleading guilty to charges of tax evasion in Norway.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Later, Hamilton parts the sea on his kick scooter, speedily escaping from the hectic press area.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The magistrate and her elderly mother were held for 30 hours in a garage in southern France’s Drôme region before escaping, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shunning. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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