What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shunned
Example
After the scandal, he was shunned by his former colleagues. [shunned: verb]
Example
The new student was shunned by her classmates and ate lunch alone. [shunned: adjective]
avoid
Example
I try to avoid eating fast food because it's not healthy. [avoid: verb]
Example
She avoided the pothole on the road by swerving to the left. [avoided: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Avoid is more commonly used than shunned in everyday language. Avoid is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts and formality levels, while shunned is less common and more formal, and is typically used in specific situations where social exclusion or rejection is involved.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shunned and avoid?
Shunned is a more formal word that is typically used in serious or professional contexts, while avoid is a versatile word that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
