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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shadowy
After a spate of arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in London, British authorities are investigating a shadowy online group with possible ties to Iran.
—
Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
The new picture also captures shadowy fractures and pits that hint at large volumes of water ice still buried beneath the surface, as well as numerous impact craters surrounded by the detritus of their own explosive formation.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2026
Colin Firth appears to lead a shadowy government entity tasked with keeping the existence of aliens secret.
—James Powel, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
On top of everything else pummeling consumers right now — spiking gas prices, soaring grocery bills, an uncertain job market — there’s a wild card lurking in a shadowy corner of corporate finance that could pile on even more pain.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shadowy
Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
The new picture also captures shadowy fractures and pits that hint at large volumes of water ice still buried beneath the surface, as well as numerous impact craters surrounded by the detritus of their own explosive formation.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2026
Colin Firth appears to lead a shadowy government entity tasked with keeping the existence of aliens secret.
—James Powel, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
On top of everything else pummeling consumers right now — spiking gas prices, soaring grocery bills, an uncertain job market — there’s a wild card lurking in a shadowy corner of corporate finance that could pile on even more pain.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shadowy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shadowy
Adjective
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Still, even after the election, Magyar has remained relentlessly on message—which is to say, vague and tight-lipped, leaving several inconvenient dilemmas unaddressed.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
Later, Liu Kang himself seemingly dies in a showdown with Shao Kahn, although his fate is kept a bit more vague.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Adjective
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Bush violet thrives in shady conditions of the porch, producing an abundance of bright purple blooms throughout the growing season.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
4 May 2026
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As long as there’s plenty of clearance for fire safety measures, the tree’s branches can provide a shady spot for gathering while the sun is still high in the sky.—
Marisa Donnelly,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 May 2026
Adjective
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That's because the waning gibbous moon will appear in the sky at the same time, most likely outshining many of the fainter shooting stars.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
4 May 2026
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That's because, as Gray explained, the impact will be too faint for observations.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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Popular choices for shaded porches include caladium, begonias, and fuchsia, which offer a variety of colors and can thrive in limited sunlight.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
4 May 2026
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There are occasions where the grass simply cannot thrive in a shaded area.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
The book’s cover depicts a hazy sunset over a Hollywood sign that is drowning in floodwaters.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
4 May 2026
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The immediate aftermath of a split tends to be less clear, a hazy maelstrom that can involve medicinal tubs of ice cream, insomnia by way of intrusive thoughts, and an aversion to wearing anything other than sweats.—
Paula Mejía,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shadowy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shadowy. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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