shun
gb/ʃˈʌn/ us/ʃˈʌn/
B2
English
~ 9300
kerül, kiközösít
VERB
B2
FORMAL
1
kerül
B1
Usage pattern:
to shun [someone/something]
For health reasons, she tries to shun sugary drinks.
Egészségügyi okokból igyekszik kerülni a cukros italokat.
He shuns social media because he values his privacy.
Kerüli a közösségi médiát, mert fontos neki a magánszférája.
The company publicly shuns any form of child labor.
After his divorce, he began to shun large family gatherings.
They decided to shun violence and look for a peaceful solution.
Learner examples
He shuns fast food because he wants to be healthy.
Kerüli a gyorsételeket, mert egészséges akar lenni.
My uncle shuns big parties and likes to stay at home.
A nagybátyám kerüli a nagy bulikat, és szeret otthon maradni.
The school teaches students to shun drugs and alcohol.
She shuns the use of plastic bags.
Many people now shun long car trips to save fuel.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *shun* like the very common verb *avoid* in casual speech. *Shun* sounds more formal or written, and often suggests strong moral or emotional reasons. In everyday conversation, *avoid* is usually more natural. Also, *shun* is normally used with a direct object (e.g. *shun sugar*, *shun parties*), not with an infinitive (*✗ shun to go*).
Meaning
deliberately avoid someone or something
Collocations
shun responsibility
|shun publicity
|shun the limelight
|shun violence
|shun contact
|shun alcohol
Synonyms
avoid (More common and general; does not always suggest moral disapproval or strong rejection.)
|
eschew (Very formal and literary; often used for avoiding habits or practices, especially on moral grounds.)
|
reject (Focuses on saying ‘no’ to something, while ‘shun’ focuses more on staying away from it over time.)
|
spurn (Suggests a proud or scornful refusal, sometimes stronger in emotional tone than ‘shun’.)
Antonyms
seek out (Means to actively look for someone or something, the opposite of staying away from it.)
|
embrace (Means to gladly accept or welcome something, opposite to deliberately keeping away from it.)
Themes
behavior
|emotions
|society
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
to stay away from a person, thing, or activity on purpose, often because you think it is bad or wrong
To keep away from someone or something on purpose, usually because you dislike it, disapprove of it, or think it is bad for you.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
kiközösít
B2
Usage pattern:
to shun [someone]; to be shunned by [a group]
After the scandal, he was shunned by many of his former friends.
A botrány után a korábbi barátai közül sokan kiközösítették.
Whistleblowers are sometimes quietly shunned in the workplace.
A munkahelyen azokat, akik visszaéléseket jelentenek, néha csendben kiközösítik.
In some traditional communities, unmarried mothers were openly shunned.
The artist was long shunned by critics but later praised as a genius.
She felt shunned by her classmates after the rumor spread.
Learner examples
After he went to prison, many people in the town shunned him.
Miután börtönbe került, a városban sokan kiközösítették.
She was shunned by her family when she refused the arranged marriage.
A családja kiközösítette, amikor nem volt hajlandó belemenni az elrendezett házasságba.
The company was shunned by customers after the news story.
He felt shunned at school and ate lunch alone every day.
People who speak out against the leader are often shunned.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *shun from* (e.g. *✗ he was shunned from his friends*). The usual pattern is *shun someone* or *be shunned by someone* (e.g. *He was shunned by his friends*). Also, this sense is stronger than simple *ignore* and implies wider or longer-term social exclusion.
Meaning
socially exclude or ostracize someone
Collocations
be shunned by society
|shunned by the community
|socially shunned
|shunned as an outcast
|widely shunned
|shun him/her/them
Synonyms
ostracize (Very close in meaning; commonly used for a group that excludes someone from social or professional life.)
|
boycott (Focuses on refusing to buy from or deal with a person or organization, often for political or ethical reasons.)
|
snub (Suggests a cold or rude refusal to acknowledge someone, often in specific moments rather than over a long period.)
Antonyms
welcome (Means to receive someone kindly and openly, opposite to excluding them.)
Themes
society
|relationships
|conflict
|communication
Definition
to keep away from a person and not talk to them or accept them, usually because you strongly disapprove of them
To deliberately avoid and exclude someone from friendship, conversation, or social contact, often as a form of punishment or disapproval.
Grammar
Dictionary form
shun
IPA
GB/ʃˈʌn/
US/ʃˈʌn/
Syllables & stress
shun (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (shun)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: shun
- 3rd Person Singular: shuns
- Present Participle: shunning
- Past: shunned
Word family
Forms
shuns
verb
shunning
verb
shunned
verb
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: shunning Verb
- Irregular past: shunned Verb
Expressions
be shunned by society
1/bˈi ʃˈʌnd bˈaɪ səsˈaɪəti/
fixed phrase
formal
be socially excluded by society
to be avoided and not accepted by most people in a society
Examples
- In the past, people with certain illnesses were often shunned by society.
- Anyone who broke the strict rules risked being shunned by society.
shun publicity
1/ʃˈʌn pəblˈɪsɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
deliberately avoid publicity
to try not to be in the news or in media reports
Examples
- The donor chose to remain anonymous and to shun publicity.
- Despite his success, he continues to shun publicity.
shun the limelight
1/ʃˈʌn ðə lˈaɪmlˌaɪt/
idiom
deliberately avoid public attention
to stay away from public attention or fame on purpose
Examples
- Unlike many celebrities, she prefers to shun the limelight.
- He shuns the limelight and lets his team take the credit.