1
a
: of the nature of or resembling a shadow
b
: faintly perceptible : indistinct
2
: being in or obscured by shadow
deep shadowy interiors
3
a
b
Synonyms
Examples of shadowy in a Sentence
She was pursued by a shadowy figure.
He had only a shadowy idea of what they wanted him to do.
Recent Examples on the Web
Loading your audio article HERCULES — Two shadowy figures here were somehow able to convince a woman to hand them a bag of cash containing $24,000 and close her eyes to join them in prayer, in another bizarre scam to hit a Bay Area resident.
—
Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
In this scene and others, Eastwood lulls the audience into a different kind of dream state than the shadowy interiors; placing the action in direct sunlight, the director indicates there’s nothing to fear — then pulls the rug out by revealing the menace lurking just outside the frame.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2024
Since then, at least five more shadowy spots have peppered Neptune’s face.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
Challengers assume these errors are not routine discrepancies but evidence of systematic voter fraud and a shadowy plot to foil the presidential election.
—Caroline Haskins, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shadowy 
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.
Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
In this scene and others, Eastwood lulls the audience into a different kind of dream state than the shadowy interiors; placing the action in direct sunlight, the director indicates there’s nothing to fear — then pulls the rug out by revealing the menace lurking just outside the frame.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2024
Since then, at least five more shadowy spots have peppered Neptune’s face.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
Challengers assume these errors are not routine discrepancies but evidence of systematic voter fraud and a shadowy plot to foil the presidential election.
—Caroline Haskins, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shadowy
Dictionary Entries Near shadowy
Cite this Entry
“Shadowy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shadowy. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shadowy
adjective
shad·owy
ˈshad-ə-wē 
1
a
: not realistic
shadowy dreams of glory
b
: dim as a shadow
the shadowy area between good and bad
2
: full of shade
a shadowy lane
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share