SHADOWS Synonyms: 131 Similar and Opposite Words

shadows 1 of 2

noun

plural of shadow

as in dark

a time or place of little or no light lurking in the shadows

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shadows

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of shadow

as in chases

to go after or on the track of shadowing the suspect to see what he was up to

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in blurs

to make dark, dim, or indistinct thickening clouds shadowed the countryside

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in shades

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 shadows

Noun

The group uncovers betrayal within its own ranks and faces a battle for the fate of the world, ultimately awakening their true powers and restoring peace, though a new threat emerges quietly in the shadows. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026 Why not try to capture the moon using a DSLR camera and a telephoto lens when the Harvest Moon rises and in the weeks that follow to track how the shifting shadows alter its appearance? — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Larger backlight zones can allow light to spill into darker parts of the image, making blacks appear gray and reducing detail in shadows. — New Atlas, 31 Aug. 2026 Place one on the floor beneath a large houseplant to create dramatic shadows, illuminate your favorite collectibles in a display case, or tuck one by a mantel to showcase seasonal decor. — Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2026 Forced to hide in the shadows, superhero fugitive hero Erik Reed/the White Dragon (Frank) must clear his name to reunite with his family. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026 So too Alien, with its cruel interstellar intimacy, its metallic shadows and gooey whites. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 The differences in whites and shadows are even apparent between the Pixel 11 and last year's Pixel 10 Pro, which remains my daily carry. — Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026 While looking at the shadows, Crimmins allegedly maneuvered the grapple so that its shadow appeared to grab Lynch’s shadow. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Verb

An unusually tight security detail shadows Rodríguez’s every step. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 30 July 2026 While darker colors remained visible, they could be mistaken for dirt, debris, or shadows underwater. — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 1 May 2026 My driver slowed on purpose, timing the arrival for that late-afternoon light when the stucco warms and shadows sharpen. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026 The corridor before him seems never-ending, extending miles, shadows short and dark, shadows light and long. — Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026 Through it all, Kate and William balanced expanding royal duties with school runs and family life, even as illness still shadows the monarchy. — Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025 However, Quinyon Mitchell has taken a step up this season and shadows the NFL’s best receiver. — Zach Berman, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025 If Gonzalez shadows Panthers rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina’s leading receiver, their battle could swing critical moments and perhaps the game. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025 The movie’s ensemble also includes Alicia Vikander, Jeffrey Wright, and Tom Sturridge, but this is said to be Dano’s show, with Law’s Putin a malevolent presence who shadows his every move. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shadows

Noun

Lastly, the sneaker’s marbled outsole has been given a glow-in-the-dark treatment — a longtime staple of Nike’s Halloween sneakers.

— Riley Jones, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
For a taste of the Mediterranean, Beach Rogue, with its after-dark DJ and near-promise of shark sightings, is the spot to book.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of dark

Verb

But when the mutt chases a fox into the wilderness and doesn't return, Fielding and his father launch a massive search to recover him, growing closer together as a result.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
Absorptive art beckons the viewer—who chases after that which ignores it, a tale as old as time—whereas the Minimalism Fried attacked was very big, very look-at-me, very exhibitionist.

— Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of chases

Noun

As anybody who has been camping knows, the flicker of bright flames against the darkness can be as much a visual distraction as a point of focus.

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
At Wimbledon last year, a match restarted for just 70 seconds, as Ben Shelton beat Australia’s Rinky Hijikata after officials paused their match overnight due to darkness.

— Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of darkness

Verb

The rise lifted some components of the index into overbought territory, as measured by the relative strength index (RSI), a momentum indicator that tracks the speed and size of price changes.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Activity Rings monitor daily movement, exercise, and standing goals, while the optical sensor tracks heart rate throughout the day.

— StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of tracks

Verb

Eclipses always travel in pairs as the sun, moon and Earth align so precisely that one obscures the other.

— Marcia Dunn, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026
Rather than blocking the sun entirely, the moon obscures only a portion of it, leaving behind the eclipse's signature crescent shape.

— Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of obscures

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shadowlike

shadows

shadowy

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“Shadows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shadows. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of shadows

noun

verb

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