1
as in shaded
protected from the sun's rays
a lovely shady spot in the park that was pleasantly cool
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deceptive
given to or marked by cheating and deception
a shady business deal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
cited some shady statistics to back up his argument
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in shifty
given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions
shady characters hanging out in the park after nightfall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in notorious
not respectable
a courtesan who lived on the shady fringe of society
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 shady
Kue Lawrence delivers a chilling performance for the ages as Samuel Miller, a seventh-grade student recruited by a shady mentor (Michael Sean Tighe) to compete in the bloody contests.
—
Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2025
Local forests are growing shadier, denser and diverse.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 29 Oct. 2025
While sports betting is now associated with major businesses that openly advertise, back then it was often seen as shady, with connections to organized crime.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Most casual bettors, the veteran explained, won’t take their business to shady offshore sites just to bet the under on someone like Terry Rozier.
—Danny Funt, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shady
Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2025
Local forests are growing shadier, denser and diverse.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 29 Oct. 2025
While sports betting is now associated with major businesses that openly advertise, back then it was often seen as shady, with connections to organized crime.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Most casual bettors, the veteran explained, won’t take their business to shady offshore sites just to bet the under on someone like Terry Rozier.
—Danny Funt, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shady
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shady
Adjective
-
Every evening, the lodge assigns guests to different tables along the perimeter of a shaded deck overlooking the jungle.—
Idra Novey,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
-
To join the play, find a shaded picnic table to sip a top-tier brew.—
Kathryn Streeter,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The lawsuit, filed in New York federal court on Tuesday, brings claims for deceptive practices and false advertising, among others.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The complaints allow the public to report unfair or deceptive business practices, according to the agency’s website, and can prompt investigations from the office.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Unfortunately, Packers quarterback Jordan Love will go into the game without one of his top receiving threats, who came into the game with a questionable tag.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
You will be awarded with Very Special Records and questionable merchandise in due time.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The Miami Dolphins have an assortment of tall receivers, athletic receivers, speedy receivers, and shifty receivers.—
Omar Kelly
October 24,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Who would have expected that Dart, a shifty runner who’d totaled 109 yards rushing in two prior starts, would juke out All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun for a 20-yard touchdown on the opening drive?—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
However, as the show continues to capture audiences with a dramatization of one of the most notorious true crime cases in modern American history, the man responsible for the killings is asking viewers to consider watching with a skeptical mind.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Especially when that witch is perhaps the most notorious one in history.—
Amber McBride,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Held captive in a shadowy basement, Michelle’s ordeal blurs the line between paranoia and revelation on Teddy’s remote ranch, where his hive of bees becomes a haunting metaphor for control.—
Tiana DeNicola,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
-
This quiz will test your knowledge of the strange, shadowy realm of dark matter.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Such fraudulent science can slow medical progress and delay vital treatment, The Scientist reported, especially when, as in this case, journals rarely took steps to correct the record.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The illegality generated more than $1 billion in fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid.—
Kevin G. Hall,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
But all of that assumes that a putsch does succeed, and this is dubious.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Also, the father in the book is a screenwriter, opening the door for sharp commentary on Hollywood and its dubious attempts at on-screen representation.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shady.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shady. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share