Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A form of solo exercise, involving throwing punches at the air, and not at an opponent.
  • verb Present participle of shadowbox.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun sparring with an imaginary opponent (for exercise or training)

Etymologies

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Examples

  • His shadowboxing is an attempt to portray himself as acting IN SUPPORT OF KEEPING MUHLENBERG OPEN, which is about as far from the facts as you can get -- given his setting up a task force to make preparations for shutting down the hospital.

    Courier to Green: Don't waste time on blame Dan 2008

  • Mariah's disses are about as intimidating as Scrappy Doo's shadowboxing ( "I'm the press conference/And you a conversation," or how 'bout, "Seeing right through you like you're bathing in Windex"?), thus hilarious.

    Not quite 2009

  • Nowadays he is shadowboxing with ghosts from the past.

    A Couple of Complicated Men Tom Nolan 2012

  • Mariah's disses are about as intimidating as Scrappy Doo's shadowboxing ( "I'm the press conference/And you a conversation," or how 'bout, "Seeing right through you like you're bathing in Windex"?), thus hilarious.

    fourfour: 2009

  • Certainly not in the United States—with two hundred thousand women already enrolled in the BCDDP and therefore not eligible for another trial, and its bickering academic community shadowboxing over the interpretation of shadows.

    The Emperor of All Maladies Siddhartha Mukherjee 2010

  • Certainly not in the United States—with two hundred thousand women already enrolled in the BCDDP and therefore not eligible for another trial, and its bickering academic community shadowboxing over the interpretation of shadows.

    The Emperor of All Maladies Siddhartha Mukherjee 2010

  • Without a nominee to defend, the White House is left shadowboxing vague accusations about nameless judicial activists threatening to overrun the high court.

    High-Court Hamlet 2010

  • As Jack approached the center of the room, he found Skerren practicing his swordplay, shadowboxing against a stationary suit of armor.

    Jack Blank and the Imagine Nation Matt Myklusch 2010

  • It is largely shadowboxing, but it takes on an especial importance among those of us who share a concern that is centuries dated.

    Excerpt from Codex Infinitum Kane X. Faucher 2010

  • I saw a clip on the news last night of McCain at some event shadowboxing and pounding his fist into his palm.

    John McCain Won’t Do The Dole - Swampland - TIME.com 2008

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