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
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Recent Examples of shades
Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
Designers tend to go for timeless shades that are versatile for a variety of settings.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 7 Jan. 2026
On the topic of aura nails, San Sung Kim flipped the shades, layering a powder blue base under a veil of brown polish, accented with studs.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 6 Jan. 2026
With the majority of New Balance’s 1906L loafer releases thus far using neutral looks with limited pops of color, an upcoming release looks to liven up the model with a mix of shades.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026
Fortunately, thrift stores are well-stocked with lights, as bases and shades that have yet to find their match line shelves.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
Tulip's shades operate in a similar manner—albeit a much less DIY one.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 6 Jan. 2026
The blue Pacific and brown Ebony shades both offer a design statement somewhere between contemporary and coastal.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2026
Those in the market for a new pair of shades can find trend-forward styles that are relatively easy on the wallet.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2025
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
The jersey has Sacramento emblazoned across the chest with a new palette of deep ink purple and bright violet accents, shades the team has never used before.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2025
But Slate also shades Nikki with such specific nuances, anxieties, and sadnesses that, even with a performance as powerful as Williams’s at its center, the show develops into a two-hander, something of a love story between the pair.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
Plus, check out its manicure prep products and more of my favorite shades below.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
Designers tend to go for timeless shades that are versatile for a variety of settings.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 7 Jan. 2026
On the topic of aura nails, San Sung Kim flipped the shades, layering a powder blue base under a veil of brown polish, accented with studs.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 6 Jan. 2026
With the majority of New Balance’s 1906L loafer releases thus far using neutral looks with limited pops of color, an upcoming release looks to liven up the model with a mix of shades.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026
Fortunately, thrift stores are well-stocked with lights, as bases and shades that have yet to find their match line shelves.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
Tulip's shades operate in a similar manner—albeit a much less DIY one.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 6 Jan. 2026
The blue Pacific and brown Ebony shades both offer a design statement somewhere between contemporary and coastal.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2026
Those in the market for a new pair of shades can find trend-forward styles that are relatively easy on the wallet.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
Tall grass also shades weed seedlings, preventing them from expanding and overtaking desirable grass plants, better than short turf.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
The jersey has Sacramento emblazoned across the chest with a new palette of deep ink purple and bright violet accents, shades the team has never used before.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2025
But Slate also shades Nikki with such specific nuances, anxieties, and sadnesses that, even with a performance as powerful as Williams’s at its center, the show develops into a two-hander, something of a love story between the pair.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shades
Noun
-
Smartphones and digital cameras are more sensitive to the array of colors and may be able to capture images of the auroras, even if not visible to the naked eye, according to NASA.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
6 Nov. 2025
-
This year-round sneaker comes in a wide variety of colors, including this neutral blue denim, dark rose, black, red, green, light, blue, and more.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Designed for high-performance durability, the IP65 water-resistant frames are crafted from lightweight TR90 material, ensuring a pressure-free fit that can withstand sweat and splashes.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Stanley 12-Ounce Stay-Hot Camp Mug A secure, press-to-fit lid ensures that this mug locks in your drink’s temperature and prevents splashes simultaneously.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Despite its name, the bar operates as a globally minded cocktail destination with equal attention paid to other spirits, along with small bites and an impressive cigar selection.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
-
And for Dirty Shirleys, different spirits, including vodka, gin, tequila and vermouth can be substituted.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Through it all, Kate and William balanced expanding royal duties with school runs and family life, even as illness still shadows the monarchy.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
19 Dec. 2025
-
However, Quinyon Mitchell has taken a step up this season and shadows the NFL’s best receiver.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
19 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The shoes come in a ton of hues, including the above silver, plus a divine cherry red and ballet-slipper-pink mesh.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Bold, Saturated Colors Kitsch thrives with a palette of bold, cheerful hues.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Microcalcifications appear as white specks and may indicate cancer in some cases.—
Lindsey Leake,
NBC news,
3 Jan. 2026
-
There were also no visible specks of spices.—
Eddie Fontanez,
AZCentral.com,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Sam slips back into her addiction and as her alcoholism worsens, so do the visions and apparitions that seem to be haunting the forest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
-
One of the most stunning exhibitions of the year put the spotlight on Our Lady of Guadalupe, which has a long history dating back to 1531, tied to four apparitions of the Virgin Mary to a peasant in Mexico.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined in a federal whistleblower investigation that Balkan Express LLC violated the Surface Transportation Assistance Act, which protects commercial motor vehicle safety complaints, according to the release.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Regular sweeping protects floors by removing gritty debris that can scratch and damage finishes.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shades.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shades. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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