Synonyms of shadowy

shadowy

adjective

ˈsha-dō-ē 

1

as in vague

not seen or understood clearly

the shadowy area between tough interrogation and torture

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vague
• faint
• hazy
• dark
• pale
• indistinct
• murky
• nebulous
• obscure
• fuzzy
• misty
• unclear
• undefined
• opaque
• foggy
• blurry
• dim
• undetermined
• indefinite
• indistinguishable
• blear
• bleary
• dusky
• gauzy
• mysterious
• invisible
• gloomy
• intangible
• inexplicable
• incomprehensible
• puzzling
• impalpable
• hieroglyphic
• inappreciable
• indiscernible
• indecipherable
• obfuscatory

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clear
• definite
• distinct
• obvious
• certain
• bright
• evident
• plain
• pellucid
• strong
• sure
• firm

2

as in shady

protected from the sun's rays

a shadowy lane that is a mosaic of colors during the autumn foliage season

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shady
• shaded
• shadowed
• darkened
• dark
• sheltered
• umbrageous
• dim
• murky
• canopied
• dimmed
• covered
• somber
• dusky
• darkling
• gloomy
• darkish
• obscure
• obscured
• darksome
• cloudy
• moonless
• inky
• penumbral
• pitch-black
• pitch-dark
• sunless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sunny
• light
• luminous
• brilliant
• dazzling
• bright
• exposed
• illuminated
• incandescent
• lucid
• shining
• lit
• lucent
• illumined
• effulgent
• shadeless
• radiant
• lambent
• luminary
• lustrous
• brightened
• bedazzling
• beaming

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shadowy

Set in the modern Scottish Highlands, Laird is an epic family saga in which a proud Scot, Drummoch (Branagh), defies a shadowy American billionaire, Peter Bergstrom (Sarsgaard), hellbent on buying up the glens. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026

The story follows a proud Scot and Laird of Castle Drummoch (Branagh) who defies a shadowy American billionaire (Peter Sarsgaard) hellbent on buying up the glens. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Cinematographer Armand Thirard’s subtle and shadowy lighting intensifies Diabolique’s haunting suspense and sense of claustrophobia, which later inspired Hitchcock’s Psycho. — Air Mail, 10 Oct. 2026

Advance has the backing of major Republican figures and donors, but its shadowy approach has also faced criticism for condensing complicated policy into ballot measures that may have impacts that are more far-reaching than voters understand. — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026