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
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
Pedro Luis Martín Pedro Luis Martín is a former senior Venezuelan intelligence and military official who has long been linked to the shadowy financial and security networks of the regime.
—
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Harper, meanwhile, agreed to become the Gen Z successor to a shadowy old money head of a bearish investment fund.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Jan. 2026
Assassin’s Creed is described as a high-octane thriller centered on the secret war between two shadowy factions — one set on determining mankind’s future through control and manipulation, while the other fights to preserve free will.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 Jan. 2026
They’re owned by whatever shadowy people, right, who have their own agendas in whatever, who are using your money.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shadowy
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Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Harper, meanwhile, agreed to become the Gen Z successor to a shadowy old money head of a bearish investment fund.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Jan. 2026
Assassin’s Creed is described as a high-octane thriller centered on the secret war between two shadowy factions — one set on determining mankind’s future through control and manipulation, while the other fights to preserve free will.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 Jan. 2026
They’re owned by whatever shadowy people, right, who have their own agendas in whatever, who are using your money.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shadowy
Cite this Entry
“Shadowy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shadowy. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
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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