shadowy

adjective

ˈsha-dō-ē How to pronounce shadowy (audio)
Definition of shadowynext
1
as in vague
not seen or understood clearly the shadowy area between tough interrogation and torture

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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 shadowy Some people see swamps as sloughs of despond; dark, miasmic places filled with creepy, shadowy creatures. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026 Set in the modern Scottish Highlands, Laird is an epic family saga in which a proud Scot defies a shadowy American billionaire hellbent on buying up the glens. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 July 2026 The idea is absurd but paired with Armand’s shadowy Budapest group and Fareed’s research, this revelation expands Interview with the Vampire’s world even more. — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 Utopia follows a group of nerds who discover a comic has been predicting historic events and accidentally unmask a shadowy conspiracy. — William Worrall, Space.com, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shadowy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shadowy
  1. vague
  2. shady
  3. faint
  4. shaded
  5. hazy
Adjective
  • What happens after that is committed to the good common sense of the client who usually leaves that office with only vague notions about what has been done so far and what needs to be done in the future.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • And the former state attorney general has generally kept his campaign promises broad and vague.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of vague
Adjective
  • There are plenty of shady spots to set up and enjoy a true natural entertainment spot.
    — Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Wait until fall to sod shady areas to prevent decline due to excessive moisture.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of shady
Adjective
  • Your morning of chores or physical activity has imbued you with a sense of achievement and a faint, pleasurable languor.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Because the new moon coincides almost exactly with the shower’s maximum, moonlight won’t wash out faint meteors, making 2026 one of the best Perseid displays in recent memory.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of faint
Adjective
  • Place in a Warm Spot Place your pot in a warm, shaded spot and keep it damp until the green shoots emerge in one to three weeks.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The covered porch created a comfortable, shaded space where the homeowners can watch their kids play, interact with neighbors walking by, and host seasonal gatherings like trick-or-treating on Halloween.
    — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of shaded
Adjective
  • Crews battled a large fire at a scrap metal yard in North Philadelphia's Hunting Park neighborhood Sunday night, sending thick, hazy smoke into the sky and raising concerns among neighbors who say problems at the property have persisted for years.
    — Eva Andersen, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Across the hall, in a lavender family room, a vintage TV installation by Jennifer stands in a corner playing hazy family videos and iconic cultural moments such as James Brown’s famously bizarre 1988 CNN interview on a loop.
    — Jewel Wicker, Architectural Digest, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of hazy

Browse Nearby Words

shadows
shadowy
shady
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Cite this Entry

“Shadowy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shadowy. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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