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
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Or, are you drawn to bright colors, bold illustrations, and more of a maximalist vibe?—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The artist combines finger painting and collaging on the surface of his canvases to evoke vivid colors, bold compositions, patterns and textures.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Add the carrot sauce and a couple splashes of pasta water, and toss to combine.—
Hailee Catalano,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Adding this 22-inch wreath to your door will provide a bright spot to welcome you home, thanks to its beautiful splashes of reds, pinks, and purples.—
Brittany VanDerBill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 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
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In the early morning, shadows pool deep in the gorge, while the upper rims catch the sun, glowing pale gold.—
Anna Zacharias,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Jan. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Darker denim tones have really come into their own in the past year, and chocolate hues in particular were a fall/winter fashion trend that shows no signs of slowing down in spring.—
Georgia Trodd,
Glamour,
24 Jan. 2026
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Decorated in neutral tones with yellow hues, the rooms are stylish, with clean lines, and large windows illuminating the space, accentuated by the bright open-plan bathrooms.—
Isabelle Kliger,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
With the help of NASA's $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers first discovered the mysterious specks of light known as little red dots at the end of 2022.—
Charles Q. Choi,
Space.com,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Microcalcifications appear as white specks and may indicate cancer in some cases.—
Lindsey Leake,
NBC news,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The image combines each planet's nightly positions during separate 2025 apparitions, assembled by astrophotographer Petr Horálek, a NOIRLab Audiovisual Ambassador.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Grassley has argued that the practice protects checks and balances, encourages the White House to consult with senators, and prevents administrations of either party from jamming through prosecutors and judges who lack local support.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The settlement agreement protects the anonymity of the affected youth and families while securing the withdrawal of the government’s demands for their medical records — and those of their fellow patients, Silver said.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shades.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shades. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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