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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5
as in ghost
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
The Valkyries had to overcome adversity, too, seeking to escape the shadow of the Las Vegas Aces, the league’s defending champions and a paragon of excellence. — Ken Makin, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026 According to Reuters, the Energy Department said any move to relieve sanctions on the shadow fleet would not help ‌Russia to move oil or oil products. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
Gone are the swarms of national media that shadowed them for nearly a decade. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2026 Her makeup, however, went dark to add contrast to the white dress and hair, with bold brows and smoky, shadowed eyes. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shadow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shadow
  1. shade
  2. black
  3. trace
  4. glimmer
  5. ghost
  6. cloud
  7. chase
  8. obscure
Noun
  • The concealer, which comes in 25 shades, goes on top to add a subtle glow that plays up the color of the eyes.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The nails apply just like traditional press-ons; to swap shades during wear, users simply select a hue in the app and insert the tip of each nail into an accompanying wand, which delivers a small charge of power to change colors.
    — Nina Derwin, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of shade
Noun
  • The pieces also follow the designers’ evolution from the straightforward blacks to use of color to increasingly sculptural shapes.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • He was dressed like a director, in blacks and blues—jeans, baseball cap, puffer coat, Hokas—but spoke and moved at the unhurried pace of a novelist, his original vocation.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of black
Noun
  • Previous studies relied on paleomagnetism, the study of residual magnetic traces in ancient rocks, since the orientation of those magnetic traces would have varied depending upon where that rock was located relative to Earth's magnetic field.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Rouse said traces of Garr's blood were found deep within the handle.
    — Joe Holden, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of trace
Noun
  • Curt Cignetti has not just provided a championship mindset for the passionate fans that were sitting through days of blowouts and small glimmers of hope in past years.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Still, Crow—the ever-optimist, as her body of work proves—clings on to the glimmers of hope from leaders of the world who do show us the best parts of humanity.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of glimmer
Noun
  • From glittering ghosts, ghastly goblins and wicked witches to wily warlocks, fashion can inspire any Halloween transformation.
    — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 18 Oct. 2026
  • There were earlier versions of this story that were openly mocking of Kip, versions that threw Leo under the bus for being too sly; versions that were too overtly political; versions with ghosts that didn’t need to be there, and so on.
    — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of ghost
Noun
  • Another round of low clouds is expected to develop late tonight and spread into the metroplex toward Wednesday morning.
    — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Google is working with McLaren to integrate its Gemini AI tools, while Mercedes-AMG Petronas has partnered with Microsoft to use AI and cloud technology for performance analysis and race strategy.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of cloud
Verb
  • Businesses that rediscover its values will gain what their velocity-chasing competitors cannot buy, borrow, or automate.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The settlers hurled stones with slings and set the groves on fire, chasing a group of journalists about 80 yards from the scene.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of chase
Verb
  • What resonated most for me, though, was witnessing conversations where depth of understanding unveiled perspectives previously obscured.
    — Pravir Malik, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • While the planets in our solar system are still visible, sky glow obscures more distant objects, such as fainter stars.
    — Chris McMullen, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
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 19 Oct. 2026.

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