shun

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shun" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of deliberately avoiding or rejecting someone or something. Example: "In the community, those who break the rules are often shunned by their peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Taylor Swift fans who pre-ordered her latest album 1989 are waking up today to a notification from Apple that it's available to download from iTunes – the latest high-profile album to shun streaming services like Spotify in favour of Apple's music downloads store.

The Guardian - Tech

Every family needs someone to shun and, happily, I am that person.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This tension between cowardly self-interest and resistance is the bass motif above which Maupassant composes a sour fugue of hypocrisy and cruelty, as a group of Rouennais notables exploit then shun the prostitute of the title, whose hospitality they had previously enjoyed.

The Guardian - Books

The only field more self-confidently but just as regularly wrong as economics is nutrition, whose recommendations to shun butter/margarine or red meat/carbohydrates regularly reverse themselves.

The Guardian - Money

Over a chintzy soundtrack, the voiceover to one recounted: "They decide to shun social media prophecy and return to musical naturism – just the two of them and some instruments and actual live contact with real people, in the form of intimate gigs in dirty places".

The Guardian - Music

isalane I shun from the term "British" as it's used as a political and not geographical word.

The Guardian

In the early 1960s, multiple cases of childhood leukaemia and adult cancers began to appear, a shocking novelty because Mormons, who shun alcohol and tobacco, typically have low cancer rates.

The Guardian - Film

Though some people still shun social media, for most of us "identity" is something we forge in the eyes of the world, composed of countless comments, tags, status updates, images, and half-forgotten submitted forms.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the BNP's calls to voters to shun the more secular League in order to protect Islam seem to have backfired.The League now finds itself with a huge parliamentary majority some 230 seats on its own (up from 62) with a further 30-odd won by its allies.

The Economist

Toyota and Nissan announced this week that they are temporarily shutting at least five plants in China, as local buyers shun Japanese cars in protest at the nationalisation of the Senkakus.

The Economist

It was this commitment to armed struggle that made Margaret Thatcher shun the ANC and dismiss it as "a typical terrorist organisation".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shun" when you want to emphasize a deliberate and persistent avoidance. It conveys a stronger sense of rejection than simply "avoid".

Common error

While "shun" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "avoid" or "stay away from" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The verb "shun" functions as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It describes the act of deliberately avoiding someone or something, often due to disapproval or dislike. This usage is supported by Ludwig AI, indicating its proper grammatical use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "shun" is a versatile transitive verb that conveys the act of deliberately avoiding someone or something, typically due to disapproval. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in English. Its usage spans various contexts, from news reports to formal writing, with a neutral register. While "shun" is generally acceptable, it's important to consider simpler alternatives like "avoid" or "stay away from" in more casual conversations. When writing, remember that "shun" emphasizes a conscious decision to reject, making it a powerful choice for expressing disapproval or isolation. Key to remember is that is has to be followed by a direct object.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid

A general term for keeping away from something.

eschew

Implies a deliberate and often moral avoidance.

ostracize

Refers to excluding someone from a group.

blackball

To reject a candidate by means of a secret ballot.

exclude

To deny someone access to a place, group, or privilege.

reject

To refuse to accept or consider something.

evade

To escape or avoid, especially by cleverness or trickery.

steer clear of

To avoid someone or something because it may cause problems.

give a wide berth to

To avoid someone or something, often due to potential danger or unpleasantness.

turn away from

To reject or abandon a belief, cause, or person.

FAQs

How to use "shun" in a sentence?

Use "shun" to describe deliberately avoiding someone or something. For example, "The community began to "shun" him after the scandal."

What can I say instead of "shun"?

You can use alternatives like "avoid", "eschew", or "ostracize" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "shun" or "shunned"?

"Shun" is the base form of the verb, while "shunned" is the past participle. Use "shunned" when referring to a past action, like "He was "shunned" by his colleagues".

What's the difference between "shun" and "ignore"?

"Shun" implies a deliberate and often public act of avoidance or rejection, while "ignore" simply means to pay no attention to something or someone. "To "shun"" carries a stronger negative connotation.