The word "shadows" refers to the areas where light is blocked by an object, creating a dark area. There are many synonyms for this word that can be used to convey similar meanings, including silhouettes, outlines, reflections, images, shapes, and forms. Each of these terms suggests a slightly different aspect of the absence of light, from the abstract to the more concrete. Silhouettes and outlines, for instance, emphasize the shape of an object and the boundary between light and dark, while reflections and images suggest a mirror-like quality to the darkness. Whichever term is used, they all convey the sense of something being hidden or obscured, just out of reach.