shad·ow·box
ˈsha-dō-ˌbäks 
-də-ˌbäks
shadowboxed; shadowboxing; shadowboxes
: to box with an imaginary opponent especially as a form of training
: a shallow enclosing case usually with a glass front in which something is set for protection and display
Examples of shadowbox in a Sentence
Verb
He was shadowboxing to stay in shape.
Recent Examples on the Web
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
The public has no understanding of how the algorithms really work—they’re company secrets—so participants are constantly shadowboxing the machine, turning conversation into a constant A/B test to see what catches on.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Sonia Mankame, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
The video showed a location with a fresh coat of white paint on the walls, modern light fixtures and antiques organized into shadow boxes.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shadowbox
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Verb
Vie finds Doja’s typically unorthodox vocals shadowboxing with the showy melisma of the classics.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
The public has no understanding of how the algorithms really work—they’re company secrets—so participants are constantly shadowboxing the machine, turning conversation into a constant A/B test to see what catches on.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
Some stalls leaned into gothic and horror themes — creepy dolls, crocheted bats and taxidermy shadow boxes — while others were more classic fare, selling plastic pumpkins, ghosts and skulls.
—Sonia Mankame, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
The video showed a location with a fresh coat of white paint on the walls, modern light fixtures and antiques organized into shadow boxes.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shadowbox
Cite this Entry
“Shadowbox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shadowbox. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shadowbox
verb
shad·ow·box
ˈshad-ō-ˌbäks
: to box with an imaginary opponent as a form of training
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