1
a
: of the nature of or resembling a shadow
b
: faintly perceptible : indistinct
2
: being in or obscured by shadow
deep shadowy interiors
3
a
b
Examples of shadowy in a Sentence
She was pursued by a shadowy figure.
He had only a shadowy idea of what they wanted him to do.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Ku Klux Klan maintained a shadowy presence in Hanceville well into the second half of the 20th century; KKK meetings took place in some homes and hideaways here as recently as the 1980s.
—
Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Moonglow channels some of the sultry, smoky atmosphere of those films, with Isaac Banks’ shadowy cinematography turning Manila into a colorful setting for all the double-crossings and back-stabbings, as well as a few heavy glances between the two leads.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
These autocrats have watched and learned as Erdoğan has scapegoated various rival groups in his country, branding them shadowy forces unleashed by the American philanthropist George Soros.
—Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
As disturbing clues emerge and a shadowy figure traps Whitney in a deadly game of survival, mother and daughter are thrust onto parallel paths of terror.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shadowy
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Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Moonglow channels some of the sultry, smoky atmosphere of those films, with Isaac Banks’ shadowy cinematography turning Manila into a colorful setting for all the double-crossings and back-stabbings, as well as a few heavy glances between the two leads.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
These autocrats have watched and learned as Erdoğan has scapegoated various rival groups in his country, branding them shadowy forces unleashed by the American philanthropist George Soros.
—Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
As disturbing clues emerge and a shadowy figure traps Whitney in a deadly game of survival, mother and daughter are thrust onto parallel paths of terror.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shadowy
Cite this Entry
“Shadowy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shadowy. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shadowy
adjective
shad·owy
ˈshad-ə-wē 
1
a
: not realistic
shadowy dreams of glory
b
: dim as a shadow
the shadowy area between good and bad
2
: full of shade
a shadowy lane
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