shun

/ʃʌn/ (bre, ipa) · /ʃʌn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈshən/ (ame, mw)

shun — verb

  • shunpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • shunshe / she / it
  • shunnedpast simple
  • shunning-ing form

1. to make a conscious and often repeated choice not to go near, use, or take part

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to make a conscious and often repeated choice not to go near, use, or take part in something because you think it is unpleasant, dangerous, or morally wrong.

例句

Thea has been shunning dairy products since she found out she was lactose intolerant.

shun + food product for health reasons

Mateo shuns busy shopping centres at weekends and orders everything online instead.

同義詞
  • avoid

    neutral and general; weaker intensity than 'shun'

  • eschew

    more formal and literary; often used with practices or habits

  • steer clear of

    colloquial; suggests cautious self-protection

  • dodge

    quick, reactive evasion rather than a settled policy

反義詞
  • seek

    actively look for or pursue

  • embrace

    willingly accept or adopt

文法句型

shun + noun phrase

用法筆記

Stronger and more intentional than 'avoid'. Often used with objects like 'publicity', 'violence', 'controversy', or specific foods and habits.

常見錯誤

❌I shun the cold weather every winter by staying indoors.
✅I avoid the cold weather every winter by staying indoors.
💡'shun' implies a principled or moral choice, not a routine seasonal preference.
❌She shunned eating spicy food because it was too hot.
✅She avoided eating spicy food because it was too hot.
💡use 'avoid' for simple physical discomfort; 'shun' carries stronger social or ethical weight.

2. to intentionally avoid communicating with or spending time with a person as a wa

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to intentionally avoid communicating with or spending time with a person as a way of showing strong disapproval of their actions, character, or beliefs.

例句

After Wei-Lin lied about the car accident, the whole team shunned him for months.

shun + person as punishment for dishonesty

Sofia shunned her former friend at school when she discovered the cruel gossip.

active social rejection by an individual

同義詞
  • ostracize

    formal; describes exclusion by a group from social acceptance

  • snub

    refuse to acknowledge or greet someone, often in a public setting

  • cold-shoulder

    informal; deliberately treat someone with coldness or disregard

  • boycott

    organized refusal to deal with a person, group, or product

反義詞
  • accept

    welcome someone into a group

  • embrace

    warmly accept someone socially

文法句型

shun + person

be shunned by + group/person

用法筆記

Subject is often a group or community acting collectively. Frequently appears in the passive ('was shunned by...'). Distinguish from Sense 1: this sense requires a person as the object, not a thing or activity.

常見錯誤

❌Ravi shunned his classmate for being five minutes late.
✅Ravi was annoyed that his classmate was late.
💡'shun' implies serious moral or social rejection, not minor irritation over lateness.
❌She shunned him because he had spinach in his teeth.
✅She avoided looking at him because he had spinach in his teeth.
💡temporary embarrassment is not grounds for shunning.