shadow 1 of 2

noun

ˈsha-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce shadow (audio)
Definition of shadownext
1
as in shade
partial darkness due to the obstruction of light rays the valley was in shadow

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2
as in black
shadows plural a time or place of little or no light lurking in the shadows

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3
as in trace
a tiny often physical indication of something lost or vanished a run-down mansion that is only a shadow of its former glory

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4
as in glimmer
a very small amount not even a shadow of a doubt about the defendant's guilt

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in apparition
the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people rumors of a shadow haunting the castle

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6
as in cloud
an overspreading element that produces an atmosphere of gloom the husband's adulterous affair had cast over their marriage a shadow from which there was no escape

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shadow

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to chase
to go after or on the track of shadowing the suspect to see what he was up to

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2
as in to obscure
to make dark, dim, or indistinct thickening clouds shadowed the countryside

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3
as in to shade
to shelter (something) from light and heat a pathway shadowed by a canopy of arching branches

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shadow
Noun
Set in the long shadow of the 1870 Marias Massacre — in which U.S. troops murdered some 200 unarmed members of the Blackfeet tribe — Jones' novel presents a northern Plains haunted by its brutal history … and by literal vampires. — Colin Dwyer, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025 That felt important to me to have a little bit of experimenting in terms of the quality of the image and maybe having some things blur and stuck in the shadows. — Fox Maxy, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
The company will also back initiatives to support local businesses and for women to shadow Thorns front office personnel and obtain certifications as referees or coaches. — Russell Leung, CNBC, 19 Feb. 2025 The Netherlands' defense ministry said the Russian vessels shadowed by its navy included the landing ships Aleksandr Otrakovskiy (Ropucha-class) and Ivan Gren (Ivan Gren-class), the supply ship Yelnya (Altay-class), the oil tanker General Skobelev, and the transport ships Sparta and Sparta II. — Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shadow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shadow
  1. shade
  2. black
  3. trace
  4. glimmer
  5. apparition
  6. cloud
  7. chase
  8. obscure
Noun
  • According to Cabot, the shade warms up beautifully under the glow of fire pits, string lights, and moonlight.
    — Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Meanwhile, the shade number, 26, also pays homage to Smith, Foley explains.
    — Jackie Fields, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of shade
Noun
  • Flaunt this fun, floral style, or opt for their best-selling classic black.
    — Meg Donohue, Town & Country, 31 Jan. 2023
  • Take your pick from black to mocha to crisp, winter white.
    — Taylor Jean Stephan, Peoplemag, 31 Jan. 2023
Definition of black
Noun
  • Add the flour and stir very gently until no traces of it remain. 4: Swipe a large pat of butter over the hot pan to coat it generously.
    — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
  • In their study, the researchers analyzed the complete genetic sequences of more than 1000 modern humans, rather than DNA extracted from ancient bones, allowing the team to infer the presence of ancestral populations that would have otherwise left no physical traces.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of trace
Noun
  • There is one thing to note, however, that could be a glimmer of hope.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Any hope of the U.S. team making the final in San Francisco after glimmers of a good performance — like being in third place during the final race — evaporated as the crew struggled to maintain stable flight on its frisky F50 boat.
    — Andrew Rice, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of glimmer
Noun
  • In the writer-director’s latest horror flick, The Monkey, there is no malignant apparition, and death doesn’t lurk or stalk.
    — Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Zoe, as an apparition, is both the cause and relief to her pain.
    — Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of apparition
Noun
  • Also known as a dry storm, virga appears as streaks or shafts of rain that hang beneath clouds.
    — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2025
  • This can be especially apparent if clouds or haze are dimming the sun enough to reduce the glare.
    — Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of cloud
Verb
  • The Trojans must chase their third championship in program history without their star.
    — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
  • So just going out and trying to find better opportunities and continue to chase greatness.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of chase
Verb
  • Baseball’s celebration of that day often obscures the fact that MLB hasn’t been African American friendly in decades.
    — Terence Moore, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • As recalls have been announced, Cybertruck sales have seemingly slumped, as Tesla obscured the true figures by lumping numbers in with sales of Model X and Model S, MotorTrend reported.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of obscure

Browse Nearby Words

shading
shadow
shadowed
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Cite this Entry

“Shadow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shadow. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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