shun

Meaning

To avoid, especially persistently; ostracize.
To escape (a threatening evil, an unwelcome task etc).
To screen, hide.
To shove, push.

distance oneself from

shrink from

abstain from

disapprove of

look askance at

refrain from

treat with disrespect

hold aloof from

stay clear

give up on

object to

prevaricate

stay away

steer clear of

hold aloof

wash one’s hands of

be shy

endeavor not to meet

keep aloof

keep clear of

fail to recognize

fail to notice

be shy of

stay away from

guard oneself

be revolted at

feel disgusted at

Frequency

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ʃʌn/

From Middle English shǒnen (“to decline to do, avoid, fear”), from Old English sċunian (“to shun, fear, avoid”), of uncertain origin. Possibly from Proto-West Germanic *skū̌hnōn, *skū̌hnijan, *skeuhnēn (“to frighten, fear”), from Proto-Germanic *skuhaz, *skeuhaz (“timid, fearful, shy”). Alternatively, possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kewdʰ- (“to cover, wrap, encase”), from *(s)kewH- (“to cover, hide”); if so, cognate with Old English hȳdan (“to hide, conceal, preserve”).

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