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
During an eclipse, Earth moves between the moon and the sun, casting a shadow on the moon, according to NASA. — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 At its peak, the moon was 96 percent covered in Earth’s shadow, creating stunning scenes for many of those who came out to watch. — Victoria Craw, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
In keeping with the college’s mission, BTE offers acting and directing students opportunities to shadow their professional counterparts. — Barbara Vitello, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile the hopper will fire a rocket thruster to jump up to 15 kilometers (nine miles) across the surface at a time, targeting touchdowns in surrounding, permanently shadowed craters. — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 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
  • One of our favorite newcomers is Saie, which has just launched an edit of SuperSuede eye shadows in 11 delicious individual autumnal shades.
    — Elle Turner, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There are two lounge chairs inside and two more on the private deck, with a heated infinity pool and a circular daybed, tucked beneath the awning for shade.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of shade
Noun
  • Then a mysterious woman dressed in black simply appears in the yard—and begins moving closer to the house.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • This style is available in 14 colors, including a Holmes-like brown, classic black, and rich burgundy.
    — Neha Tandon, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of black
Noun
  • Potsherds discarded after an 11th-century feast at Etowah—an Indigenous city just north of what’s now Atlanta—contained traces of cacao, a raw ingredient of chocolate.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In Ossoff, the first millennial senator, Rogers sees traces of an earlier era.
    — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of trace
Noun
  • The polls offer a glimmer of hope for Democrats and their voters, who hope that the party can shrink the Republican majority in Congress – or capture it – this midterm season.
    — Emily R. Condon, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • While more muted in color than her later looks, the outfit shows an early glimmer of her future full-on sparkle.
    — Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of glimmer
Noun
  • To be eligible to play Power Four college sports now means to breathe; there are rumors that a group of ghosts from the 1907 Pitt Panthers is suing the NCAA to play another year.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In one extended sequence, Delaney just wanders his lonely apartment, the ghost of his wife already haunting the place.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of ghost
Noun
  • The second jet, which was right behind, flew through a cloud of pink dust that shot up from the stadium roof as part of the pregame show.
    — Michelle Gumede, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The most common type of cloud seeding used in the United States is almost all done in Western states, according to University of Illinois emeritus professor of climate, meteorology and atmospheric sciences Robert Rauber.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of cloud
Verb
  • The North American box office is still chasing the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, and despite a blockbuster summer, ticket sales are still lagging.
    — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • That’s some serious currency for Mahomes to be taking into Season 10 with so much still in front of him — both in terms of years to play, presumably, and goals to chase.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of chase
Verb
  • Forward vision is excellent because there’s no roof, A-pillars, or much of anything obscuring your view (the only model above the Signature Edition, called the Grand Touring, does include a roof of sorts).
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The glass is reeded and translucent, obscuring the line cooks behind it.
    — Alexis Benveniste, Architectural Digest, 27 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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