What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shun
Example
The community shunned him after he was caught stealing. [shunned: past tense]
Example
She decided to shun social media to focus on her mental health. [shun: verb]
elude
Example
The suspect managed to elude the police by hiding in the woods. [elude: verb]
Example
The answer to the riddle continued to elude her, even after several attempts. [elude: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Elude is more commonly used than shun in everyday language. Elude is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while shun is less common and refers to a specific type of avoidance.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shun and elude?
Both shun and elude are formal words that are typically used in writing or formal speech. However, elude can also be used in informal contexts, while shun is less versatile and is primarily used in formal contexts.