1
as in colors
a property that becomes apparent when light falls on an object and by which things that are identical in form can be distinguished
a lovely shade of blue
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in splashes
a very small amount
just a shade taller than his dance partner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in spirits
the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people
spirits and shades haunting the night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of shades
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
1 July 2026
Having a wide array of Tinted Moisturizer and Secret Camouflage shades right at my fingertips completely took the guesswork out of putting together this routine.
—
Sarah Hoffmann,
Allure,
1 July 2026
How Automated Precision Helps Even the most effective shades will only be able to do their job if they are being used all of the time.
—
K.h. Koehler,
USA Today,
30 June 2026
To balance out muddy undertones and make yellow countertops feel more modern, Turgut suggests skipping cooler-toned paints, leaning into neutral and warm shades, and keeping metal hardware purposefully-antique style.
—
The Spruce,
30 June 2026
The concealer comes in 25 shades and is an extension of the brand’s hero Hydro Grip line.
—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
29 June 2026
These threads produce a banner that yes, is red, white, and blue, but also yes, is black and yellow and all dozens of shades that comprise the people of America.
—
Jerry Shnay,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
Dransfield suspects these fluffy, wispy worlds are probably white or blue, depending on whether the skies there are cloudy — not shades of cotton-candy pink.
—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2026
Three colors are currently on sale, including summer-ready shades of blue, green, and pink.
—
Caitlyn Fitzpatrick,
Travel + Leisure,
27 June 2026
Ashlesha Khatiwada,
The Conversation,
1 July 2026
Nieusma notes that calendula grows low to the ground, forming a ground cover that shades the soil and suppresses weeds.
—
Sj McShane,
Martha Stewart,
26 June 2026
The side has an awning held up by support bars, which shades the front doorway and mesh window.
—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
22 June 2026
Pruning And Thinning Peach Trees Peaches develop large, dense foliage that shades the interior branches.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
30 May 2026
Pulling the focal point to the base of the nails, this manicure shades over the cuticle border with metallic blue half-moons.
—
Sunnah Rasheed,
InStyle,
25 May 2026
So that's the thing that keeps us cooler, shades us.
—
March 9,
CBS News,
9 Mar. 2026
Basil shades the ground around tomatoes, conserving soil moisture.
—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
27 Feb. 2026
New Zealand actor Shand shades him with welcome nuance.
—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
Sculptures and paintings by local artists are sprinkled throughout the 18 rooms, which are swathed in pastel shades like apricot and mint, reminiscent of the artwork and architecture in Emirdag’s other home in the South of France.
—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
1 July 2026
Having a wide array of Tinted Moisturizer and Secret Camouflage shades right at my fingertips completely took the guesswork out of putting together this routine.
—
Sarah Hoffmann,
Allure,
1 July 2026
How Automated Precision Helps Even the most effective shades will only be able to do their job if they are being used all of the time.
—
K.h. Koehler,
USA Today,
30 June 2026
To balance out muddy undertones and make yellow countertops feel more modern, Turgut suggests skipping cooler-toned paints, leaning into neutral and warm shades, and keeping metal hardware purposefully-antique style.
—
The Spruce,
30 June 2026
The concealer comes in 25 shades and is an extension of the brand’s hero Hydro Grip line.
—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
29 June 2026
These threads produce a banner that yes, is red, white, and blue, but also yes, is black and yellow and all dozens of shades that comprise the people of America.
—
Jerry Shnay,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
Dransfield suspects these fluffy, wispy worlds are probably white or blue, depending on whether the skies there are cloudy — not shades of cotton-candy pink.
—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2026
Three colors are currently on sale, including summer-ready shades of blue, green, and pink.
—
Caitlyn Fitzpatrick,
Travel + Leisure,
27 June 2026
Verb
The thick debris mantle shades the ice, keeping it colder, similar to how ski areas have started covering their slopes with reflective blankets in summer to stave off melting.
—
Ashlesha Khatiwada,
The Conversation,
1 July 2026
Nieusma notes that calendula grows low to the ground, forming a ground cover that shades the soil and suppresses weeds.
—
Sj McShane,
Martha Stewart,
26 June 2026
The side has an awning held up by support bars, which shades the front doorway and mesh window.
—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
22 June 2026
Pruning And Thinning Peach Trees Peaches develop large, dense foliage that shades the interior branches.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
30 May 2026
Pulling the focal point to the base of the nails, this manicure shades over the cuticle border with metallic blue half-moons.
—
Sunnah Rasheed,
InStyle,
25 May 2026
So that's the thing that keeps us cooler, shades us.
—
March 9,
CBS News,
9 Mar. 2026
Basil shades the ground around tomatoes, conserving soil moisture.
—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
27 Feb. 2026
New Zealand actor Shand shades him with welcome nuance.
—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shades
Noun
-
All colors are the same price right now and come with free shipping, but note the delivery dates because some will arrive quicker than others.
-
The 50th edition of the nation’s largest Independence Day celebration will feature 85,000 fireworks shells in 30 colors launched from six barges, plus a new laser show from the Brooklyn Bridge.
Noun
-
Many of the paintings include a portrait of a Pullman porter or a maid surrounded by splashes of color and fragments of archival documents — newspaper clippings, timesheets, employee records.
-
It’s even made from a water-resistant fabric to protect your gear from unexpected splashes or spills, keeping everything safe on the go.
Noun
-
Koval Distillery, Chicago’s first legal post-Prohibition distillery, produces spirits as artful as its bottle designs and Vin312 Winery has grown from its owner’s garage into a full-fledged tasting room.
-
The release continues Tamworth’s tradition of creating spirits inspired by the natural world around its rural New Hampshire home.
Verb
-
While darker colors remained visible, they could be mistaken for dirt, debris, or shadows underwater.
-
My driver slowed on purpose, timing the arrival for that late-afternoon light when the stucco warms and shadows sharpen.
Noun
-
These colors will pop even more when the sun hits them, so lean into the wow-factor of the boldest, most unapologetic hues on pillows, pots, and furnishings.
-
Neon-leaning hues of lime green, pink, orange, and black swirl together for a manicure that's practically made for a tropical getaway—and bold enough to stand out from the beach to the open sea.
Noun
-
One released a chaff cascade—hell’s own monsoon manifesting as specks of light, sound, and EM pulses falling through the hanging garden.
-
Kansas City isn't much of a pedestrian city, but now, blue and green specks of fans dot the sidewalks, like wildflowers poking through a crack in the pavement.
Noun
-
Today, the massive complex attracts paranormal investigators who report apparitions, voices, and other unexplained phenomena.
-
Why then, when discussing body image after weight changes, is our culture reaching for the language of vexing apparitions and death?
Verb
-
That disincentivizes physical attacks (such as cold-boot attacks) and better protects user data.
-
Curbing an infectious disease abroad protects health at home, reducing the risk of cross-border transmission and lowering the chance of new, costlier public health threats.
Cite this Entry
“Shades.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shades. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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