as in pursuit
the act of going after or in the tracks of another
the submarine's relentless shadowing of the destroyer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in chasing
to go after or on the track of
shadowing the suspect to see what he was up to
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obscuring
to make dark, dim, or indistinct
thickening clouds shadowed the countryside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in shading
to shelter (something) from light and heat
a pathway shadowed by a canopy of arching branches
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 shadowing
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
Saleh said shadowing a specific receiver tends to be easier for the cornerback doing the shadowing than the rest of the secondary, which must adjust and compensate in term of responsibility and technique.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
The British military carried out a similar shadowing operation in July, after spotting the Russian sub Novorossiysk in its territorial waters.
—CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Conversely, clinginess, shadowing, or distress during brief separations may signal a need for more support and predictability.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
The best way to explore a pivot is through low-risk experiments—side projects, volunteering, freelancing or shadowing.
—Julia Korn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
So naturally, shadowing him with a first-rate cornerback like Gonzalez makes sense.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Good was shot earlier this month by an ICE agent while shadowing federal law enforcement in her vehicle.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Since September, Druzhyna has spent his weekdays in Milwaukee, attending classes and shadowing other perfusionists during surgery.
—Natalie Yahr, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
By Michael Pollan Anyone who thinks the contemplative life amounts to a form of quietism or a retreat from the world’s suffering should spend some time shadowing Joan Halifax, the Zen priest and anthropologist.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Advertisement To ground their performances, Damon and Affleck each spent time in Miami with the police department, shadowing officers whose work directly informed the film.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
Additionally, the top winner, Lydia Riley, will get to spend a day shadowing a staff photographer of her choice.
—Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez, Charlotte Observer, 15 Jan. 2026
Vinicius Jr, who is often tasked with shadowing one of the opposition centre-backs, started the season well in this regard and even forced a mistake well up the pitch to create a goal for Mbappe in August’s 3-0 away win against Real Oviedo.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
The rest of Robbie’s makeup was light and even-toned, comprised of subtle shadowing under her eyes and blushed lips.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
Saleh said shadowing a specific receiver tends to be easier for the cornerback doing the shadowing than the rest of the secondary, which must adjust and compensate in term of responsibility and technique.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
The British military carried out a similar shadowing operation in July, after spotting the Russian sub Novorossiysk in its territorial waters.
—CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Conversely, clinginess, shadowing, or distress during brief separations may signal a need for more support and predictability.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
The best way to explore a pivot is through low-risk experiments—side projects, volunteering, freelancing or shadowing.
—Julia Korn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
If true, this likely suggests a very tense intercept scenario, perhaps even shadowing or escorting away from Chinese airspace.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
So naturally, shadowing him with a first-rate cornerback like Gonzalez makes sense.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Good was shot earlier this month by an ICE agent while shadowing federal law enforcement in her vehicle.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Since September, Druzhyna has spent his weekdays in Milwaukee, attending classes and shadowing other perfusionists during surgery.
—Natalie Yahr, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
By Michael Pollan Anyone who thinks the contemplative life amounts to a form of quietism or a retreat from the world’s suffering should spend some time shadowing Joan Halifax, the Zen priest and anthropologist.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Advertisement To ground their performances, Damon and Affleck each spent time in Miami with the police department, shadowing officers whose work directly informed the film.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
Additionally, the top winner, Lydia Riley, will get to spend a day shadowing a staff photographer of her choice.
—Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez, Charlotte Observer, 15 Jan. 2026
Vinicius Jr, who is often tasked with shadowing one of the opposition centre-backs, started the season well in this regard and even forced a mistake well up the pitch to create a goal for Mbappe in August’s 3-0 away win against Real Oviedo.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shadowing
Noun
-
Paintbox, the brand’s signature kid’s program, includes educational (animal print tracking) and active (obstacle courses) outdoor pursuits.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
However, rights groups say implementation, transparency in releases and broader reforms will determine its lasting impact on Venezuela’s pursuit of peace and democratic coexistence.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When many publications let down their paywall at the tantalizing prospect of chasing massive audiences online through social platforms, The Economist remained skeptical, choosing a model that emphasized subscription and reader revenue over advertising.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Honky-tonks like the White Horse, Broken Spoke and Donn’s Depot routinely pull in artists and actors chasing a two-step.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Instead, massive investment comes first, obscuring early gains.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
There are redactions all over, obscuring the names of those involved.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the conflicted Wahida, Abbas takes the film’s stoic center, shading the character in such a way that her dilemma becomes the audience’s main focus.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Even a seeming villain like Dunster’s Archie gets intriguing shading over the course of the season.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
By early Saturday evening, more than 700 flights going into and out of JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports had already been canceled for Sunday, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Paintbox, the brand’s signature kid’s program, includes educational (animal print tracking) and active (obstacle courses) outdoor pursuits.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Since then, students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics majors have had the chance to enroll directly in a calculus class with extra support in the form of a concurrent class.—
Tammi Marshall,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
For many student athletes in attendance, Jones’ message of finding one’s voice as a female athlete and pursuing a dream in sports deeply resonated.—
Alexandra Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Look out for the dark forms of Mare Crisium and Mare Fecunditatis darkening the sunlit wedge of Earth's satellite, which formed when ancient lava flows flooded networks of impact craters before hardening many millions of years ago.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Smoke from the fire could be seen from miles away, darkening the sky.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But as technology evolved and proliferated, privacy laws repeatedly fell short in protecting California’s students — at the same time that the federal government has tried to collect increasing amounts of personal information, Addis said.—
Adam Echelman,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The active component in milk thistle seeds, silymarin, has been shown in some studies to increase glutathione levels naturally up to 35-50% by protecting liver cells and supporting their function.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shadowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shadowing. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
