To shun means to deliberately avoid or reject someone, often as a way of showing disapproval or punishment. When a group shuns a person, they stop talking to them, exclude them from activities, and act as if they don't exist.

Shunning is different from simply choosing not to be friends with someone. It's an active, intentional form of rejection. In some religious communities, members who break important rules might be shunned by the entire community until they change their behavior. At school, if someone spreads a hurtful rumor, their classmates might shun them temporarily by refusing to sit with them at lunch or work with them on projects.

The word can also apply to things or ideas. Someone might shun the spotlight, preferring to stay out of attention. A health-conscious person might shun junk food, actively avoiding it rather than just eating it less.

Shunning carries emotional weight because humans are social creatures who need connection with others. Being shunned feels like being invisible or unwanted. Prolonged or cruel shunning can be deeply hurtful and isn't a kind way to solve problems between people.