1
as in colors
a property that becomes apparent when light falls on an object and by which things that are identical in form can be distinguished
a lovely shade of blue
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in splashes
a very small amount
just a shade taller than his dance partner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in spirits
the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people
spirits and shades haunting the night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shades
Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
Maybelline New York’s Sky High Mascara is all about options, with nine shades to choose from.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 15 Feb. 2026
There are numerous cultivars in shades ranging from chartreuse to peach to nearly black.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
The products, shades, and textures set the tone for their whole makeup vibe.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
Warm blonds, specifically, are poised to be a favorite, particularly the shades that require minimum upkeep.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Shopping director Rachel Fletcher owns a different set of shades from the brand and can attest to their quality and seamless installation (even for someone who lacks power drill experience).
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026
This super-soft tee comes in eight colors (including a few winter shades) and goes up to a size XL.
—Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026
With 30 shades to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find a seamless match.
—Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 8 Feb. 2026
Essence Wiley, InStyle, 7 Feb. 2026
Tall grass also shades weed seedlings, preventing them from expanding and overtaking desirable grass plants, better than short turf.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
The jersey has Sacramento emblazoned across the chest with a new palette of deep ink purple and bright violet accents, shades the team has never used before.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2025
But Slate also shades Nikki with such specific nuances, anxieties, and sadnesses that, even with a performance as powerful as Williams’s at its center, the show develops into a two-hander, something of a love story between the pair.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
Dark shades can ground your kitchen and create a beautiful statement.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
Maybelline New York’s Sky High Mascara is all about options, with nine shades to choose from.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 15 Feb. 2026
There are numerous cultivars in shades ranging from chartreuse to peach to nearly black.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
The products, shades, and textures set the tone for their whole makeup vibe.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
Warm blonds, specifically, are poised to be a favorite, particularly the shades that require minimum upkeep.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Shopping director Rachel Fletcher owns a different set of shades from the brand and can attest to their quality and seamless installation (even for someone who lacks power drill experience).
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026
This super-soft tee comes in eight colors (including a few winter shades) and goes up to a size XL.
—Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026
With 30 shades to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find a seamless match.
—Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
The skin tone shades work as a complexion product or a powder, while the universal shades can be used to prep the skin.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 7 Feb. 2026
Tall grass also shades weed seedlings, preventing them from expanding and overtaking desirable grass plants, better than short turf.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
The jersey has Sacramento emblazoned across the chest with a new palette of deep ink purple and bright violet accents, shades the team has never used before.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2025
But Slate also shades Nikki with such specific nuances, anxieties, and sadnesses that, even with a performance as powerful as Williams’s at its center, the show develops into a two-hander, something of a love story between the pair.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shades
Noun
-
True to her signature flair for whimsy, Samuel brought in lots of playful elements featuring warm colors, bright patterns, and contemporary silhouettes.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Gap CashSoft Oversized Chunky Cardigan My daughters also loved this soft, chunky cardigan from Gap, available in multiple colors.—
Chaunie Brusie,
Parents,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The stone mat wraps around the faucet and acts as a splash guard, absorbing splashes and spills around the area.—
Jamie Weissman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The look incorporates Jackson Pollock-esque splashes of orange and royal blue, a departure from last season’s navy-and-white color palette.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While spending several thousand dollars on a Scotch was not unheard of, this was the first time an American whiskey company offered a rare blend that rivaled other spirits from around the world.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Inside, a long mahogany counter glows beneath warm gold walls, where bartenders move with precision through a selection of classics and inventive cocktails built on bold spirits and house infusions.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the early morning, shadows pool deep in the gorge, while the upper rims catch the sun, glowing pale gold.—
Anna Zacharias,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Through it all, Kate and William balanced expanding royal duties with school runs and family life, even as illness still shadows the monarchy.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
For minimalists, Abasks’s smart leather bags come in gorgeous hues, and feature washable interiors.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
-
In addition to featuring intricate lacework, some pieces stand out for being crafted from chiffon and fluid satins, being punctuated by tiny floral embroideries and cascading daisy embellishments or simply for their buttery hues that add to the classic black and white propositions.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Tiny beads of blood had seeped out and dried into tiny specks.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Also known as sunspots, solar lentigines, or liver spots, age spots are additional specks and bits of pigment caused by excessive sun exposure.—
Essence,
Essence,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Juggling demanding apparitions alongside staff burnout, family pressures and a coworker who seems to know more about her than expected, the series grounds its supernatural premise in the cultural specificity of the Filipino healthcare experience.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2026
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The image combines each planet's nightly positions during separate 2025 apparitions, assembled by astrophotographer Petr Horálek, a NOIRLab Audiovisual Ambassador.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But the slow drip of revelations has reinforced a perception that power protects itself and that ordinary citizens live under a different standard.—
Kaitlyn Buss,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The texture-smoothing formula also includes cupuaçu butter—another moisture-locking workhorse—as well as caffeine, which helps boost collagen production, reduces puffiness, and protects skin from environmental damage.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shades.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shades. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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