1
as in shaded
protected from the sun's rays
a lovely shady spot in the park that was pleasantly cool
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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4
as in shifty
given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions
shady characters hanging out in the park after nightfall
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in notorious
not respectable
a courtesan who lived on the shady fringe of society
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shady
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
As always, co-hosts Nick and Vanessa Lachey will be at the helm, addressing this season’s most romantic and shocking moments − one slightly shady question at a time.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Because of the switch in Jackson’s practice status after the fact, some questioned if the team was trying to get away with something shady.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shady
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
As always, co-hosts Nick and Vanessa Lachey will be at the helm, addressing this season’s most romantic and shocking moments − one slightly shady question at a time.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Because of the switch in Jackson’s practice status after the fact, some questioned if the team was trying to get away with something shady.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shady
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shady
Adjective
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These shaded nurseries are the perfect place for young saguaros to mature.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
23 Oct. 2025
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Each of its 18, double-story villas has a private pool, a shaded courtyard, and a veranda that looks out across the waterways into the dense teak forest.—
Marion Miller,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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Austin Reaves, who also missed Monday’s game, is listed as questionable, while LeBron James, Maxi Kleber, Adou Thiero, and Gabe Vincent remain out.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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The extent of the President's potential influence with New Yorkers in Cuomo's uphill battle with Mamdani is questionable.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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Especially when that witch is perhaps the most notorious one in history.—
Amber McBride,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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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
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This quiz will test your knowledge of the strange, shadowy realm of dark matter.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Andrew Wheatley, minister without portfolio in the prime minister’s office, said the Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team has identified more than two dozen fraudulent hurricane relief websites attempting to divert contributions and donations from legitimate sources.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
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Following a 2023 trial, a Florida jury found the Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital liable for false imprisonment, battery, fraudulent billing, wrongful death and intentional infliction of emotional distress — allegations by Kowalski's family that were documented in the Netflix documentary.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But all of that assumes that a putsch does succeed, and this is dubious.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
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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 8 Nov. 2025.
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