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to shun

to shun

26 4.6
To avoid someone or something and refuse to meet and speak to them on purpose
  • verb
  • /ʃʌn/
translation icon : evitar
  • Many students began to shun their classmate after he was caught cheating.
  • society that shuns
  • many students shun

He was somehow surprised that he was shunned by his peers at home.

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Examples

  • Most archaeologists these days shun the use of concrete, but it is still employed in some places, say researchers.

    Academic text (2006)
  • The majority of elementary and secondary curricula in the United States shun voluntary service to the community.

    Academic text (1994)
  • And there is a lot of times, you know, parents that shun their children.

  • My father decided to shun not just me and my wife, but also my daughter.

  • People in this world shun people for being great, for being a bright color, for standing out.

  • The whole school was ordered to shun me, not to speak to me, until I had declared my decision.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • But I don't think you should shun all old people because they believe something different or they were brought up in a different time.

  • No matter how obvious the messages my father tried to convey, people would shun him everywhere he went.

  • The state-socialist model led India to shun commercial engagement with the outside world.

    Academic text (2006)
  • We have hard work to do and loads to lift. Shun not the struggle; face it, 'tis God's gift.

    Fiction book (1993)

Synonyms

to avoid
vsto shun
1.0

To stay away from something or not do it to stop something bad from happening

is focused on deliberate social or moral rejection rather than safety reasons
to reject
vsto shun
839 1.9

Refuse to accept someone or something

adds a deliberate avoidance action to simple refusal
to stay away
vsto shun
590 1.6

Keep a distance from people or things you want to avoid

includes deliberate refusal as well as simply staying physically away
to stay away from
vsto shun
384 2.3

Avoid going near people or places for safety

is about deliberate rejection or avoidance beyond safety or prudence motives
to disregard
vsto shun
119 3.9

Ignore something or someone on purpose

involves deliberate avoidance or rejection with a clearer personal decision
to shy away from
vsto shun
41 4.6

Avoid doing something because you feel afraid or unsure

is deliberate avoidance or rejection driven by choice rather than fear
to disown
vsto shun
37 5.8

Refuse to accept someone or something and stop having any connection with them

is about deliberate avoidance or rejection without legal or formal severing
32 3.9

To stay away from people or things to avoid close contact

covers deliberate avoidance but also intentional social rejection beyond distance
to ostracize
vsto shun
  • US
31 7.7

To leave someone out of a group on purpose

is individual avoidance or rejection rather than organized group exclusion
to spurn
vsto shun
26 7.7

To refuse a person or an offer in a rude way

expresses avoidance or rejection without the strong contempt or insult
to eschew
vsto shun
  • Formal
23 8.9

To avoid something on purpose

covers deliberate rejection or avoidance more broadly without principled nuance
to turn away from
vsto shun
15 3.7

To refuse to have anything to do with someone or something

is the general deliberate avoidance or rejection sense rather than a special tone

Refuse to be involved with people or things that seem dangerous and dishonest

is similar but less idiomatic and not just about strong dislike

Antonyms

81 1.0

A friendly greeting or being gladly received by others

20 3.4

A warm, willing acceptance of someone or an idea

Compounds

9.9

A leafy plant that people use in Asian cooking for its tender leaves and strong taste

How Rejecting

to ostracize
  • US
31 7.7
boycott
80 4.3
to spurn
26 7.7
to shun
26 4.6
to ignore
1.0
to avoid
1.0

Surface Forms

shun infinitive
shunned past
shunned past participle
shunning present participle
shuns third person singular

Etymology

The word shun comes from the old English verb scunian, meaning 'to avoid' or 'be ashamed', and it connects to the idea of 'shame'. So, to shun someone is to deliberately avoid or reject them.