Definitions
- Referring to avoiding or abstaining from something that is considered harmful or undesirable. - Talking about steering clear of a particular behavior, habit, or activity. - Describing the act of deliberately rejecting or renouncing something.
- Referring to avoiding or rejecting someone or something completely. - Talking about actively staying away from a person, group, or place. - Describing the act of deliberately ignoring or excluding someone or something.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words involve avoiding or rejecting something.
- 2Both words imply a deliberate choice or decision.
- 3Both words can be used to describe negative behaviors or situations.
- 4Both words have negative connotations.
What is the difference?
- 1Scope: Eschew is more general and can refer to avoiding anything that is considered harmful or undesirable, while shun is more specific and usually refers to avoiding people or social situations.
- 2Intensity: Shun implies a stronger rejection or avoidance than eschew, which can be a milder form of avoidance.
- 3Action: Shun involves actively staying away from someone or something, while eschew can also involve passive avoidance or abstention.
- 4Connotation: Eschew has a more neutral or even positive connotation, as it can be associated with making healthy or responsible choices, while shun has a more negative connotation, as it can be associated with exclusion or ostracism.
- 5Formality: Eschew is more formal and often used in written or academic contexts, while shun is more informal and can be used in everyday speech.
Remember this!
Eschew and shun are synonyms that both refer to avoiding or rejecting something. However, eschew is a more general term that can refer to avoiding anything that is considered harmful or undesirable, while shun is more specific and usually refers to avoiding people or social situations. Additionally, shun implies a stronger rejection or avoidance than eschew, which can be a milder form of avoidance.
