shades 1 of 2

plural of shade
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

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2
3

shades

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of shade
as in shadows
to shelter (something) from light and heat the trees shaded us quite nicely from the noonday sun

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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 shades
Noun
The sweater assortment will still offer bright colors, but more subtle shades such as navy will be added back into the line again. Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026 This season, however, nail experts encourage you to hold off on the dark and moody shades. Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 8 Sep. 2026 After a week, your teeth should look 10 shades whiter, according to Auraglow. Sara Coughlin, Allure, 8 Sep. 2026 Its Quantum Dot technology enhances colors with over a billion realistic shades, while Toshiba's Regza Engine dynamically upscales lower-resolution cable and streaming signals to crisp 4K clarity. Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 7 Sep. 2026 Fans climbed trees and light poles to try to get a glimpse of Kiffin strolling in with a suit (no tie) and shades. Matt Baker, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026 The rapper’s all-black outfit was allowed, but his shades violated court etiquette. Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Reminiscent of Isamu Noguchi’s iconic rice paper shades, this Japandi floor lamp uses linen for a softer take on the look. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026 Even better, the brand just dropped three new fall-ready shades. Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
Aaron Rodgers seemingly shades his brother Jordan in a new interview. Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026 Gabriel and Haaland are key men for their countries, too; whoever shades their personal duel will have a great chance of finishing on the winning team. Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026 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 Morning sun is best, so keep these flowers on a porch that shades them from afternoon sun or provides dappled light. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shades
Noun
  • Precious little of anything survives from a millennium ago, let alone textile, let alone narrative textile, hundreds of feet of it, unfolding in scene after scene with the colors still crisp.
    John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
  • With four colors and a 100 percent suede upper, this shoe is ideal for jetsetting, running post-workout errands, and everything in between.
    Essence Wiley, InStyle, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Built in a distinctively analog way, the rooms create the illusion of endless space through the use of light, mirrors and splashes of color.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The company has built a reputation in the investment world for backing companies that have made big splashes, including Uber, Waymo and Discord.
    Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The spirits industry was pushing trade officials to get back to negotiating.
    Steve Kopack, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Groceries Tariffs on Canadian beer, wine, spirits, dairy ingredients and more could cause some price increases during your weekly shopping.
    Ryley Amond, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • An unusually tight security detail shadows Rodríguez’s every step.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 30 July 2026
  • While darker colors remained visible, they could be mistaken for dirt, debris, or shadows underwater.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • If black isn’t your thing, the satin silhouette also comes in metallic hues that read like copper and bronze.
    Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Choose from a variety of neutral hues like cream, white, or black, plus sizes 5–11 with both standard and wide widths available.
    Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Calcium shows up as bright white specks on the coronary artery images.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Pulse a few times, until crumbs range in size from specks to peas.
    Leah Eskin, Midwest Living, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • That is, until miraculous apparitions turn it into a place to be.
    Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Today, the massive complex attracts paranormal investigators who report apparitions, voices, and other unexplained phenomena.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • The feline panleukopenia vaccination also protects cats against two other common viruses — feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus.
    Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Florsheim’s argument has centered on Wisconsin’s Public Trust Doctrine, which protects public rights in navigable waters and the land beneath them.
    Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Shades.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shades. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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