Shied away from is a phrase that means to avoid doing something or to be hesitant to participate in a particular activity. There are several synonyms for shied away from which you may find useful in your writing. These include: avoided, evaded, shunned, recoiled from, sidestepped, steered clear of, abstained from, balked at, backed away from, withdrew from, or refused to engage in. All these synonyms mean to stay away from something or to refrain from doing it due to fear or apprehension. By using these synonyms, you can add depth and variety to your writing and avoid repetition.