Synonyms of shades

shades 1 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• colors
• hues
• tones
• tints
• colorations
• tinges
• tinctures
• colorings
• contrasts
• casts
• undertones
• overtones
• primary colors
• values
• saturations
• pigmentations
• secondary colors
• chromas
• chromaticities
• tertiary colors
• colorways

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• achromatisms

2

as in splashes

a very small amount

just a shade taller than his dance partner

Synonyms & Similar Words

• splashes
• specks
• glimmers
• sprinklings
• hints
• touches
• bits
• little
• shadows
• licks
• particles
• dabs
• traces
• flecks
• rays
• sparks
• streaks
• handfuls
• ounces
• smells
• slivers
• drams
• spots
• spatters
• shreds
• crumbs
• nips
• peanuts
• bites
• smacks
• scruples
• soupçons
• strains
• dashes
• suspicions
• mites
• scintillas
• parts
• driblets
• drops
• smidgens
• snaps
• molecules
• pinches
• aces
• skoshes
• drops in the bucket
• grains
• patches
• tastes
• dots
• atoms
• syllables
• doses
• granules
• portions
• sections
• semblances
• vestiges
• minima
• fragments
• scraps
• minims
• motes
• whits
• nibbles
• nubbins
• smatterings
• morsels
• chips
• modicums
• iotas
• jots
• flakes
• shards
• flyspecks
• scatterings
• hoots
• splinters
• tittles
• shivers
• shavings
• clippings
• smatters
• parings
• tatters
• smithereens
• shots

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• masses
• quantities
• loads
• mountains
• barrels
• buckets
• piles
• bundles
• bushels
• lots
• stacks
• deals
• heaps
• rafts
• abundances
• volumes
• reams
• gobs
• pecks
• fistfuls
• scads
• oodles
• wads
• wealths
• boatloads
• messes
• lashings
• profusions
• much
• potfuls
• excesses
• plenties
• passels
• slabs
• surpluses
• overflows
• chunks
• embarrassments
• superfluities
• bonanzas
• overages
• hunks
• lumps
• overmuch
• overabundances
• surfeits
• oversupplies
• overkills
• superabundances

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

• spirits
• shadows
• apparitions
• ghosts
• visions
• phantoms
• wraiths
• haunts
• specters
• vampires
• materializations
• familiar spirits
• phantasms
• sprites
• zombies
• spooks
• poltergeists
• demons
• visitants
• bogeys
• angels
• hants
• genies
• doubles
• daimones
• ghouls
• jinn
• manes
• familiars
• fetches
• doppelgängers
• shaitans
• succubi
• incubi
• geniuses
• devils
• lemures
• imps
• lamiae
• cacodemons
• fiends

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shadows
• protects
• covers
• clouds
• dims
• darkens
• overshadows
• dulls
• overcasts
• screens
• canopies

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lights
• illuminates
• exposes
• lightens

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shades

Noun

The popular set tends to sell quickly, so consider grabbing one while fall-favorite shades like dusty olive, terracotta, and mauve are still in stock. — Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026

Smart shades can keep someone from climbing a step ladder to close a higher window. — Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Every manager of a pop star in the ’60s wore wraparound shades because their clients did. — Dylan Jones, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2026

The strappy Vionic Reese Slingbacks come in 10 summer-ready shades, including a neutral oatmeal and a tan leather that are particularly easy to mix and match with any outfit. — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2026

Her hair was worn in signature blown out waves that picked up the caramel shades in her long brunette hair, her parting swept slightly to the side. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 Aug. 2026

These shades feel fresh and clean, and will complement nearly any finish or furnishing. — Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 2 Aug. 2026

To prevent yellowing, protect your cabinets from direct sunlight by using shades, blinds, or curtains. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026

This season’s standout shades strike the perfect balance between polished and effortless, enhancing your natural features with radiant shine, soft dimension, and rich, lived-in color. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 29 July 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