throw shade
idiomatic phrase
informal
: to publicly express contempt or disrespect for someone or something especially in an indirect or subtle way : criticize
… answered a question to the media that seemed to throw shade at his former teammate …—
Farbod Esnaashari
Farbod Esnaashari… was accused of throwing shade at the singer in a now-deleted TikTok [video].—Leyla Mohammed
Leyla MohammedWhen the vendor typed "excuse me," my friend assumed the vendor was throwing major shade his way …—Jennifer Silverman
Jennifer Silverman… haters took to the comment section and threw major shade at the star …—Julia Teti
Julia TetiExamples of throw shade in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That's when play-by-play announcer Michael Kay couldn't help but bring up Doncic's impressive new physique while encouraging him to throw shade at the Mavericks.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
In a recent segment, Colbert threw shade at the company’s decision to settle the nuisance lawsuit.
—Amelia Wu
july 23, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2025
Popeyes appeared to throw shade at McDonald's on May 30, responding to an April 15 McDonald's X post hinting at the Snack Wrap's comeback.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 14 June 2025
Oprah Winfrey threw shade at Broadway star Patti LuPone during the Tony Awards on Sunday.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
The 2014 retirement of Malcolm (who died in 2017) and sudden spring 2016 departure of Johnson due to the risk of complete hearing loss threw shade on the future.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025
Donald Trump and Barack Obama continue to throw shade at each other, this time with the president taking jabs over his predecessor's unfinished and long-awaited library and museum.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 7 May 2025
And Underwood certainly has a long history of throwing shade at Swift in the past, often in public—including a few times while hosting the Country Music Awards.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 8 Apr. 2025
James’ show of support for Lamar comes shortly after Drizzy switched around one of his lyrics at his Wednesday concert in Australia, seemingly to throw shade at the athlete.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 6 Feb. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
In a recent segment, Colbert threw shade at the company’s decision to settle the nuisance lawsuit.
—Amelia Wu
july 23, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2025
Popeyes appeared to throw shade at McDonald's on May 30, responding to an April 15 McDonald's X post hinting at the Snack Wrap's comeback.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 14 June 2025
Oprah Winfrey threw shade at Broadway star Patti LuPone during the Tony Awards on Sunday.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
The 2014 retirement of Malcolm (who died in 2017) and sudden spring 2016 departure of Johnson due to the risk of complete hearing loss threw shade on the future.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025
Donald Trump and Barack Obama continue to throw shade at each other, this time with the president taking jabs over his predecessor's unfinished and long-awaited library and museum.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 7 May 2025
And Underwood certainly has a long history of throwing shade at Swift in the past, often in public—including a few times while hosting the Country Music Awards.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 8 Apr. 2025
James’ show of support for Lamar comes shortly after Drizzy switched around one of his lyrics at his Wednesday concert in Australia, seemingly to throw shade at the athlete.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 6 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Throw shade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throw%20shade. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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