To avoid or shun something is to?

To avoid or shun something means to intentionally stay away from it or to deliberately choose not to engage with it. The term that perfectly encapsulates this meaning is "eschew." This word originates from Middle English and has been used to signify the act of avoiding something that one considers undesirable or harmful.

When someone decides to eschew a specific behavior, habit, or ideology, they are consciously making a choice to not partake in it, reflecting a proactive decision to keep it at a distance. This aligns with the concept of avoidance implicit in the question.

The other options provided do not convey the same sense of avoidance. "Embrace" implies acceptance and enthusiasm toward something, "face" suggests confronting or dealing with something directly, and "accept" indicates a willingness to receive or agree with something. None of these terms convey the action of avoiding or shunning as clearly and accurately as "eschew" does.