First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
shun
transitive verb \ˈshən\
: to avoid (someone or something)
shunnedshun·ning
Full Definition of SHUN
: to avoid deliberately and especially habitually <shuns publicity>
— shun·ner noun
See shun defined for kids
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Origin of SHUN
Middle English shonen, shunnen, from Old English scunian
Related to SHUN
- Synonyms
- avoid, dodge, duck, elude, eschew, evade, finesse, get around, scape, shake, shirk, shuffle (out of), escape, weasel (out of)
Synonym Discussion of SHUN
escape, avoid, evade, elude, shun, eschew mean to get away or keep away from something. escape stresses the fact of getting away or being passed by not necessarily through effort or by conscious intent <nothing escapes her sharp eyes>. avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty <try to avoid past errors>. evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding <evaded the question by changing the subject>. elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes <what she sees in him eludes me>. shun often implies an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy and may imply repugnance or abhorrence <you have shunned your responsibilities>. eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful <a playwright who eschews melodrama>.
SHUN Defined for Kids
shun
verb \ˈshən\
shunnedshun·ning
Definition of SHUN for Kids
: to avoid purposely or by habit <He shunned noisy places.>
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