1
as in vague
not seen or understood clearly
the shadowy area between tough interrogation and torture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shady
protected from the sun's rays
a shadowy lane that is a mosaic of colors during the autumn foliage season
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 shadowy
This season has been filled with all sorts of unsavory drama, including a party turned incestuous, a surprise cameo (and unsettling monologue) from Sam Rockwell and an Inigo-Montoya-esque confrontation with a shadowy landowner.
—
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Could that shadowy figure at the prow be someone from Edward’s tale?
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025
Unregulated and marked by , this shadowy industry faces growing scrutiny over both ethical issues and public health risks.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Blackmailed by a shadowy figure, Lazarus, she’s forced by Lazarus to punish other rapists who have not been brought to justice.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shadowy
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Could that shadowy figure at the prow be someone from Edward’s tale?
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025
Unregulated and marked by , this shadowy industry faces growing scrutiny over both ethical issues and public health risks.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Blackmailed by a shadowy figure, Lazarus, she’s forced by Lazarus to punish other rapists who have not been brought to justice.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shadowy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shadowy
Adjective
-
Instead of vague goals, such as align with human values, researchers and developers can talk about specific contexts and roles for AI more clearly.—
Aidan Kierans,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
-
In fact, those professions grew because the accountant must also talk to clients, ask them questions, make judgement calls about sometimes vague tax code interpretations and execute numerous other judgements on a daily basis.—
Ismail Amla,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
It’s implied that before going into construction, Levon had brought his military training into civilian life in some shady (though likely heroic) capacity or another — maybe even kidnap recovery.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2025
-
During a recent conversation with legendary radio host Big Boy, the 26-year-old spoke about her haters and shady tension that led to this notion.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Being generally smaller, colder and much darker than a star, exoplanets are also harder to detect, so specialized techniques are required for capturing their faint signals.—
Shi En Kim,
Smithsonian Magazine,
1 Apr. 2025
-
By subtracting these reference images from the target images, the team effectively removed the star's light, isolating the faint signals from the planets.—
Victoria Corless,
Space.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Japanese photographer has produced a series of hazy images that play with perspective and reflections to showcase multiple angles of the women’s collection designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri, which is set to be unveiled on April 15 in the garden of Tō-ji Temple in Kyoto.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Even sketchier are characters like Isaac and Hanrahan, ruthless military types who never really transcend that hazy description despite being played by formidable actors Jeffrey Wright and Alanna Ubach, respectively.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shadowy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shadowy. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share