Synonyms

shadow cabinet

American

noun

(in the British Parliament) a group of prominent members of the opposition who are expected to hold positions in the cabinet when their party assumes power.

Etymology

Origin of shadow cabinet

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Reform's successes also included taking Essex County Council, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's local authority and an area where six Tory shadow cabinet members are MPs.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

Six Tory shadow cabinet members are MPs in Essex, including party leader Kemi Badenoch.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

It is unclear if Taylor's allies in Ley's shadow cabinet will follow with resignations of their own.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

They also agreed that National Party lawmakers including the three senators who had resigned could return to the shadow cabinet in March, local media said.

From Barron's • Feb. 8, 2026

The Liberal Party leader said both parties had patched up with an agreement that neither party could overturn decisions taken by the coalition's joint "shadow cabinet" of senior lawmakers.

From Barron's • Feb. 8, 2026

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023