Synonyms of shady

shady

adjective

ˈshā-dē 

1

as in shaded

protected from the sun's rays

a lovely shady spot in the park that was pleasantly cool

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in deceptive

given to or marked by cheating and deception

a shady business deal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deceptive
• fraudulent
• crooked
• dishonest
• shifty
• rogue
• underhanded
• duplicitous
• false
• fast
• underhand
• bent
• unscrupulous
• guileful
• artful
• sharp
• treacherous
• unethical
• double-dealing
• deceitful
• unprincipled
• subtle
• deceiving
• cunning
• unconscionable
• wily
• slippery
• sly
• slick
• sneaky
• crafty
• cagey
• devious
• delusive
• tricky
• insidious
• beguiling
• furtive
• foxy
• perfidious
• delusory
• deluding
• trickish
• sneaking
• defrauding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• honest
• straight
• ethical
• honorable
• decent
• conscientious
• scrupulous
• upright
• just
• aboveboard
• straightforward
• forthright

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

• questionable
• dubious
• suspicious
• disputable
• problematic
• doubtful
• debatable
• suspect
• fishy
• shaky
• ambiguous
• dodgy
• queer
• alleged
• equivocal
• unclear
• dubitable
• doubtable
• unlikely
• weak
• uncertain
• supposed
• moot
• improbable
• so-called
• flimsy
• undetermined
• open
• undecided
• far-fetched

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• certain
• sure
• unquestionable
• indisputable
• unproblematic
• undeniable
• incontestable
• indubitable
• undoubted
• questionless
• decisive
• obvious
• positive
• definitive
• clear
• hands-down
• open-and-shut

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

• shifty
• dark
• sneaky
• slippery
• crooked
• sly
• furtive
• clandestine
• deceptive
• stealthy
• cheating
• secretive
• treacherous
• slick
• sneaking
• cunning
• close
• dishonest
• lying
• wily
• devious
• crafty
• covert
• artful
• deceitful
• duplicitous
• underhanded
• foxy
• guileful
• untrustworthy
• tricky
• deceiving
• underhand
• insidious
• reticent
• mendacious
• closemouthed
• perfidious
• untruthful
• serpentine
• trickish
• two-faced
• knavish
• double-dealing
• dissembling
• defrauding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straightforward
• forthright
• direct
• open
• plain
• frank
• candid
• aboveboard
• trustworthy
• honest
• plainspoken
• truthful
• foursquare

5

as in notorious

not respectable

a courtesan who lived on the shady fringe of society

Synonyms & Similar Words

• notorious
• infamous
• criminal
• immoral
• disreputable
• shameful
• disgraceful
• bad
• shoddy
• dishonorable
• discreditable
• ignominious
• shy
• opprobrious
• low
• dirty
• corrupt
• louche
• unethical
• sordid
• vile
• unsavory
• unrespectable
• wicked
• nefarious
• vicious
• seamy
• evil
• wrong
• rotten
• despicable
• miserable
• detestable
• villainous
• iniquitous
• contemptible
• sinful
• mean
• base
• reprehensible
• wretched
• inglorious
• perverted
• unrighteous
• depraved
• dissolute
• degenerate
• loose
• debauched
• blameworthy
• debased
• censurable
• libertine
• blamable
• gamy
• reprobate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reputable
• good
• honorable
• respectable
• ethical
• noble
• moral
• honest
• decent
• legal
• righteous
• upright
• just
• principled
• prestigious
• respected
• reputed
• permitted
• esteemed
• permissible
• authorized
• proper
• licensed
• upstanding
• correct
• clean
• endorsed
• approved
• exemplary
• decorous
• blameless
• creditable
• commendable
• sanctioned
• seemly
• guiltless

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shady

Others sat in shady spots on Montrose Avenue where the parade units combined with waiting community groups to end the parade at the festival grounds. — Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

These tried-and-true container plants are well suited to shady spots and deliver color without demanding too much attention. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2026

While this feature never got implemented, a Phia spokesperson told Bloomberg, Kianni was in support of the cookie stuffing practices, and encouraged team members to implement shady practices. — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026

Santa Margarita River Trail Looking for a shady spring or summertime hike? — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026