What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
avoids
Example
He avoids eating junk food to maintain a healthy diet. [avoids: verb]
Example
She always avoids going to crowded places because she doesn't like large crowds. [avoids: verb]
shun
Example
The community shunned him after he was caught stealing. [shunned: verb]
Example
She decided to shun social media and focus on real-life interactions. [shun: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Avoids is more commonly used than shun in everyday language. Avoids is a more general term that can be applied to various situations, while shun is less common and typically used in specific social or interpersonal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between avoids and shun?
Both avoids and shun can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, shun may carry a slightly more formal tone due to its stronger connotation of rejection or exclusion.