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
The tragedy, resulting in one of the highest Hajj death tolls in years, has brought attention to the shadowy industry of unauthorized pilgrimage agents.
—
Magdy Samaan, CNN, 25 June 2024
Water ice preserved in the shadowy floors of craters, for instance, could be processed into potable water—or into rocket fuel.
—Leonard David, Scientific American, 25 June 2024
Though that condition no longer applies, the Taliban’s links with other shadowy terrorist groups are still a potential obstacle to Russian recognition, experts say.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 June 2024
The first leg of the stunning out-and-back heads westward toward Boulder with the shadowy outline of the Rocky Mountains on the horizon.
—Heather Mundt, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for shadowy 
Magdy Samaan, CNN, 25 June 2024
Water ice preserved in the shadowy floors of craters, for instance, could be processed into potable water—or into rocket fuel.
—Leonard David, Scientific American, 25 June 2024
Though that condition no longer applies, the Taliban’s links with other shadowy terrorist groups are still a potential obstacle to Russian recognition, experts say.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 June 2024
The first leg of the stunning out-and-back heads westward toward Boulder with the shadowy outline of the Rocky Mountains on the horizon.
—Heather Mundt, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for shadowy
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shadowy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near shadowy
Cite this Entry
“Shadowy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shadowy. Accessed 7 Jul. 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
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