Synonyms for

Shadowy

Verb / ˈʃædəʊi: / Another word for shadowy — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

dark, vague, or indistinct

Synonyms & similar words

dim shady wraithlike vague shadowed faint umbrageous wispy dim obscure faint hazy murky vague shadowed gloomy dark nebulous cloudy indistinct dusky veiled mysterious unclear unfathomable enigmatic ambiguous opalescent

Synonyms by register

Formal

obscure unclear dubious nebulous

Informal

shady sketchy fishy dodgy

Literary

umbral crepuscular nocturnal

Antonyms

bright light clear visible obvious sunny illuminated

Common collocations

  • shadowy figure
  • shadowy corner
  • shadowy past
  • shadowy organization
  • shadowy depths
  • shadowy realm
  • shadowy character

Word family

noun shadow
adjective shadowy
adverb shadowily

Usage note

Often implies something mysterious, illicit, or not fully understood. Can refer to literal darkness or figurative secrecy.

Example sentences

  1. The shadowy alley made her feel uneasy.
  2. The forest was filled with shadowy trees.
  3. The man's shadowy past was a mystery to everyone.
  4. The room was lit by a single shadowy candle.
  5. The shadowy figure disappeared into the darkness.

Quotes

  • 'All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.' - Edgar Allan Poe
  • 'The past is a shadowy place, and memory is sometimes a moonless night.' - Simon Van Booy
  • 'The world is a shadowy place, and the truth is a dim and distant star.' - Christopher Pike

Try these popular words

the and that for you with was this are have not from

Practice

Play the Word Synonyms game · Choose level (start near 1)

Worksheets

Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6

Topics

Guides

Explore more words