Synonyms of shadows

shadows 1 of 2

noun

plural of shadow

as in dark

a time or place of little or no light

lurking in the shadows

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dark
• darkness
• blackness
• black
• dusk
• night
• twilight
• gloom
• candlelight
• midnight
• semidarkness
• shade
• murk
• gloaming
• umbra
• blackout
• dullness
• dimness
• half-light
• murkiness
• grayness
• haziness
• paleness
• faintness
• umbrage
• cloudiness
• somberness
• shadiness
• gloominess
• mistiness
• brownout
• dimout
• fogginess

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• light
• glow
• brightness
• glare
• daylight
• day
• moonlight
• sunlight
• brilliance
• blaze
• lightness
• starlight
• sunshine
• radiance
• shine
• luminescence
• luminosity
• luminance
• effulgence
• radiancy
• incandescence
• luminousness

shadows

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of shadow

1

as in chases

to go after or on the track of

shadowing the suspect to see what he was up to

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chases
• tracks
• pursues
• traces
• escorts
• tails
• trails
• follows
• dogs
• runs after
• courses
• accompanies
• tags
• hounds
• bird-dogs
• eyes
• watches
• runs
• hunts
• seeks
• searches (for)
• chaperones
• observes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• leads
• guides
• pilots
• heads

2

as in blurs

to make dark, dim, or indistinct

thickening clouds shadowed the countryside

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blurs
• obscures
• darkens
• clouds
• blackens
• shrouds
• mists
• dims
• hazes
• overshadows
• fogs
• shades
• overcasts
• beclouds
• bedims
• overclouds
• fuzzes (up)
• hides
• befogs
• conceals
• dislimns
• eclipses
• masks
• blears
• curtains
• covers
• obliterates
• adumbrates
• cloaks
• screens
• camouflages
• blots out
• veils
• disguises

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• illuminates
• lights (up)
• reveals
• brightens
• illumines
• exposes
• lightens
• uncovers
• unveils

3

as in shades

to shelter (something) from light and heat

a pathway shadowed by a canopy of arching branches

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lights
• illuminates
• exposes
• lightens

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shadows

Noun

The Supreme Court continues to make consequential rulings in the shadows. — Ken B. Morales, ProPublica, 21 Sep. 2026

His favorite target, CeeDee Lamb, emerged from the shadows with a breakout game that restores his stature among the NFL’s top wideouts in just one game. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2026

Disembodied hands lurk in the shadows, furniture seems to move on its own, and creepy figures pop out from unexpected hiding spots in the set (designed by Reck, Connor Hopkins, Zac Crofford and Rael). — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Even in early September, after a brutally hot summer, pockets of snow remained in the shadows around its base, at about 10,000 feet. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Soon, people are jumping out of the shadows and getting a little too bitey for comfort. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026

The silky mattes go on without streaking (like some other inexpensive shadows might) along lashlines, over lids, and through creases for so many possible looks and so many color options (there are nine versions of the palette). — Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026

The four thematic worlds included Earth, Water, Light and Sky, ranging from natural pigments and raw textures to fluidity and transparency; shimmer and light shadows, while the sky evoked infinity with voluminous and atmospheric surfaces. — Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026

Bluesign is stepping out from the supply chain shadows and into the world of consumers. — Jessica Binns, Vogue, 14 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

My driver slowed on purpose, timing the arrival for that late-afternoon light when the stucco warms and shadows sharpen. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026

The corridor before him seems never-ending, extending miles, shadows short and dark, shadows light and long. — Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 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

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

If Gonzalez shadows Panthers rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina’s leading receiver, their battle could swing critical moments and perhaps the game. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025

The movie’s ensemble also includes Alicia Vikander, Jeffrey Wright, and Tom Sturridge, but this is said to be Dano’s show, with Law’s Putin a malevolent presence who shadows his every move. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2025