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Synonyms
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.
avoid stresses forethought and caution in keeping clear of danger or difficulty.
evade implies adroitness, ingenuity, or lack of scruple in escaping or avoiding.
elude implies a slippery or baffling quality in the person or thing that escapes.
shun often implies an avoiding as a matter of habitual practice or policy and may imply repugnance or abhorrence.
eschew implies an avoiding or abstaining from as unwise or distasteful.
Examples of shun in a Sentence
Word History
Middle English shonen, shunnen, from Old English scunian
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near shun
Cite this Entry
“Shun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shun. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
shun
verbMore from Merriam-Webster on shun
Nglish: Translation of shun for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of shun for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shun
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