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
Instead of overcoming their fatal flaw and defeating their shadow-self, the titular Eternals are reckoning with their relationship to God and the grand arc of human history. — Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026 The acts of diplomacy stemmed from Galliano’s notorious antisemitic diatribe in 2011, which cost him his job as creative director at Dior and has cast a shadow over his work and his legacy ever since. — Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
In college, shadowing a labor and delivery nurse and witnessing my first birth only deepened this passion. — Mara Evans, STAT, 27 July 2026 Once their ships turned away, the tension dramatically decreased, though hours later China Coast Guard ships could be seen in the distance still shadowing the Philippine vessels. — Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 24 July 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
  • Following the consolidation, the production capacity for Inpro’s shower curtains, cubicle curtains and roller shades was expected to increase, the company’s 2024 statement said.
    — Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
  • With the synthetic turf, there’s no concern about the shade from the existing tree canopy and playing conditions will be consistent.
    — Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of shade
Noun
  • The cabin comes in white-brown, black-brown, or all-black color schemes and features five seats with 10-layer filling, ventilation (bottom-blow, back-suction), and heating.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Aug. 2026
  • For her main ensemble, the Catwoman star wore head-to-toe black, including a strappy triangle bikini layered beneath a semi-sheer coverup that doubled as a minidress.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of black
Noun
  • By comparing the mummies’ viral traces with historical examples, Nakagome and colleagues saw that the virus experienced an extended period of genetic alterations until the 16th century.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 2026
  • Depending on the situation, medication may be screened visually or with an X-ray machine and may also be tested for traces of explosives.
    — Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
Definition of trace
Noun
  • Within the court’s 28-page ruling was another glimmer of hope for descendants who were disappointed by the 2025 laws.
    — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 29 July 2026
  • But take a closer look and the report actually provides glimmers of hope.
    — TerDawn DeBoe, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of glimmer
Noun
  • Wade Barrett called Rollins the historical ghost who has haunted Roman Reigns for years.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • There’s one shaped like a hand grenade; another bears a white-sheet-ghost novelty trinket over the lid, denoting a ghost pepper sauce.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of ghost
Noun
  • Jupiter showed cloud bands and its Great Red Spot could be seen just slipping off the edge, with three of its moons also in the field.
    — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • El Niño events are a climate cycle characterized by hotter than average ocean temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific, which transfer huge amounts of heat to the atmosphere via clouds and heavy precipitation.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of cloud
Verb
  • Griffin Conine and Heriberto Hernandez worked walks to open the frame before Marsee chased Senga with a two-run double to right.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than chasing polished luxury or fleeting travel trends, the inn leans into the village of Woods Hole’s creative, scientific, and maritime character.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 July 2026
Definition of chase
Verb
  • The government label can obscure the fact that state loans function much more like private credit products.
    — Annie Nova, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026
  • And amid all the noise, something important will be obscured.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 2 Aug. 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 6 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of shadow for Spanish Speakers

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