shun

To deliberately stay away from someone or something, or refuse to have contact with them.

• She shuns large crowds.
• His neighbors shunned him after the scandal.
• Some actors shun publicity whenever they can.

Similar words: avoid, keep away from, ostracize

Common phrases: shun publicity, shun someone, shun the crowds

To get away from something dangerous or unpleasant.

• He sought to shun danger.
• They shunned the hardship of a winter journey.
• She tried to shun meeting her angry cousin.

How to use it: shun doing something (He tried to shun facing his enemies.)

Similar words: escape, evade

Common phrases: shun danger, shun a duty, shun doing something

To hide someone or something from view.

• She used her cloak to shun her face.
• A curtain shunned the bed from view.
• He shunned his eyes behind a raised sleeve.

How to use it: shun something from view (The cloth shunned the object from view.)

Similar words: hide, conceal, screen

Opposites: reveal

Common phrases: shun something from, shun the face

To push someone or something.

• He shunned the door open.
• She shunned him aside with her shoulder.
• They shunned the heavy cart forward.

Similar words: push, shove

Opposites: pull

Common phrases: shun someone aside, shun something forward