What does shunning mean?
Shunning means deliberately avoiding or rejecting a person, an idea, or an activity. Unlike an incidental failure to notice or meet someone, shunning implies conscious exclusion and can therefore suggest contempt, fear, intolerance, or strong moral disapproval. The word is used in both practical and social contexts: a person may shun a crowded place, avoid discussing a topic, refuse a celebrity's advances, or be ostracised by a community. Its consequences can be serious because being shunned denies a person recognition, contact, or participation. In older and legal contexts, the term could also denote formal avoidance, such as refusing to receive or associate with someone. Modern usage most often describes purposeful avoidance that carries a clear emotional or moral dimension, whether the act is considered admirable, harmful, or merely unusual.
verbDeliberately avoiding, ignoring, or refusing to associate with someone or something.
- To deliberately avoid, ignore, or refuse to associate with a person, thing, or course of action.
"By shunning public attention, she allowed the rumour to die down."
"The coastal village was known for shunning visitors during the winter months."
"He risked being accused of shunning responsibility when he left the committee without explanation."
To be shunned is to be excluded deliberately; in some communities, public shunning has served as a severe form of social punishment.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shunning come from?
The base verb dates to Middle English and continues an Old English word for turning away or fleeing from. It belongs to a Germanic family with related forms in languages including Dutch and German. The modern participle shunning preserves the usual English formation in -ing from the verb shun.
Related word forms
How shunning is actually used
As the present participle of shun, it can form the progressive tense or function as a gerund. It often carries a deliberate, morally disapproving, or socially significant sense rather than describing a casual temporary avoidance.
Easily confused with shunning
Shunning means deliberately avoiding or rejecting something, whereas a sun is the star that gives Earth light and warmth.