Dictionary

shadow government en · NOUN

Etymology

The origin of such terms (e.g., shadow government, shadow cabinet, shadow minister, shadow portfolio) lies in the figurative metaphor of a shadow (shade) following its source object closely and in well-defined parallel. But conspiracy theorists have longed seized upon the way it sounds nefarious, as if it were meant to connote dark and sinister forces. This interpretation is also encouraged by disinformation purveyors seeking to sow societal disruption.

Meanings

1. A government that is prepared to take control in response to certain events, especially one made up of the leadership of the largest opposition party in parliament which would assume control should the ruling party be displaced in elections.
   • Cuba's two most important exile groups, after months of quarreling, met last week to form a shadow government dedicated to the liberation of their homeland. 1961 March 31, “Getting Ready”, in Time Magazine, archived from the original on 25 Sep 2022, page 24:
   • Meronyms: shadow cabinet, shadow minister
2. A (real or conspiracy theorized) body of private individuals who exercise actual power behind the scenes instead of a country's or organization's public figures.

Forms

Relateds

shadow banking system · work shadowing · power behind the throne

Synonyms

cryptocracy · state within a state · invisible government · deep state · secret government

Translations (18)

nl schaduwregering (government-in-waiting that is prepared to take control) · de Schattenregierung (government-in-waiting that is prepared to take control) · ka ჩრდილოვანი მთავრობა (government-in-waiting that is prepared to take control) · es gobierno en la sombra (government-in-waiting that is prepared to take control) · id pemerintah bayangan (government-in-waiting that is prepared to take control) · af skaduregering (government-in-waiting that is prepared to take control) · fr gouvernement de l'ombre (government-in-waiting that is prepared to take control) · ca govern a l'ombra (government-in-waiting that is prepared to take control) · fi varjohallitus (government-in-waiting that is prepared to take control) · da skyggeregering (government-in-waiting that is prepared to take control) · gl goberno na sombra (government-in-waiting that is prepared to take control) · el σκιώδης κυβέρνηση (government-in-waiting that is prepared to take control) · no skyggeregjering (government-in-waiting that is prepared to take control) · sv skuggregering (government-in-waiting that is prepared to take control) · cs stínová vláda (government-in-waiting that is prepared to take control) · ru теневое правительство (government-in-waiting that is prepared to take control) · pt governo sombra (government-in-waiting that is prepared to take control) · it governo ombra (government-in-waiting that is prepared to take control)