scunner

American  

[skuhn-er] / ˈskʌn ər /

noun

1. an irrational dislike; loathing.

   She took a scunner to him.

---

verb (used without object)

1. Scot. and North England. to feel or show violent disgust, especially to flinch, blanch, or gag.

verb (used with object)

1. Scot. and North England. to disgust; nauseate.

scunner British  

/ ˈskʌnər, ˈskʌnə /

verb

1. (intr) to feel aversion

2. (tr) to produce a feeling of aversion in

---

noun

1. a strong aversion (often in the phrase take a scunner to )

2. an object of dislike; nuisance

Etymology

Origin of scunner

1325–75; Middle English ( Scots ) skunner to shrink back in disgust, equivalent to skurn to flinch (akin to scare ) + -er -er ⁶, with loss of first r by dissimilation

Example Sentences

But polling and the results of council by-elections suggest that Reform has potential in areas which have not been traditionally Conservative, in communities where the "scunner factor" is strongest.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

They recognise that this "scunner factor" can only take them so far and that setting out their Holyrood policies will invite much closer scrutiny.

From BBC • Jan. 2, 2026

They seem to be attracting voters who are fed up with more established parties but they acknowledge that this "scunner" factor can only take them so far.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2025

Serge Prokofieff, famed Russian modernist composer, has a scunner against Boston.

From Time Magazine Archive

For some reason Field had taken what the Scotch call a scunner to ex-President Hayes, whom he regarded as a political Pecksniff.

From Eugene Field, a Study in Heredity and Contradictions — Volume 1 by Thompson, Slason