1
as in shadow
partial darkness due to the obstruction of light rays
the lunar eclipse began with a subtle darkening of the lunar surface as it passed within the Earth's penumbra
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in veil
something that covers or conceals like a piece of cloth
a penumbra of despair fell over the doomed city
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of penumbra
The umbra is a darker inner shadow and the penumbra is a fainter outer shadow, according to NASA.
—
Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
The second shadow in an eclipse is known as the penumbra (pronounced peh NUM bruh).
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2025
The penumbra is the pale outer portion of the Earth's shadow.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Earth's shadow in space — which is always there — has two parts: a fuzzy outer penumbra and a deep, dark umbra.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for penumbra
Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
The second shadow in an eclipse is known as the penumbra (pronounced peh NUM bruh).
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2025
The penumbra is the pale outer portion of the Earth's shadow.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Earth's shadow in space — which is always there — has two parts: a fuzzy outer penumbra and a deep, dark umbra.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for penumbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penumbra
Noun
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The location allows long-duration monitoring without interference from Earth’s shadow.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Jan. 2026
-
In that global blockbuster series from Netflix, Lee’s Front Man is the opposite of Man-su, a powerful figure in the shadows who oversees a deadly game in which participants literally die in pursuit of prize money.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Nicola would go on to wear a custom white Valentino dress with white lace gloves and a royal-length lace veil for her big day.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
20 Jan. 2026
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Osaka’s grand entrance for her first round also featured dramatic elements, including a white, wide-brim hat with a sheer veil.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The bright green shade adds a pop of color, there’s plenty of distressing to give it that antique feel, and the delicate floral details add whimsical details.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
21 Jan. 2026
-
From March 1 through May 10, 2026, nearly 80 million flowers blanket the rolling hills of North San Diego County in 13 vibrant shades including red, pink, orange, yellow and white.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
One man is covered with a bloody white shroud inside a body bag.—
Marin Scott,
NBC news,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The opposition needs to offer a credible safe exit for these regime insiders, convincing them that the Islamic Republic is no longer their shield, but their shroud.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Passengers get to see Earth against the blackness of space and experience a few minutes of weightlessness.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
18 Dec. 2025
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The thrill of pushing the pace on terrain that remained shrouded in blackness until illuminated two seconds before our wheels were suddenly navigating its rocks and cliffs and cactus pushed all else from the mental spotlight.—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Partnership and teamwork can be real deals or can be cloaks for non-contributors if someone doesn’t see their pattern.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Partnership and teamwork can be real deal or can be cloaks for non-contributors if someone doesn’t see their pattern.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This soft and subtle look features a dusty-blue-to-clear ombré topped with chrome for a manicure that mimics the sky at dusk.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
20 Jan. 2026
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Several times, at dusk, after the group had agreed to pack it in, a flash on the radar or a fresh flock of birds inspired Mitchell to whip the boat around and chase one more catch.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In early 2023, the pandemic-era glow had worn off watch sales, kicking off a luxury slowdown that continues to cast a pall over the trade.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
7 Jan. 2026
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Lynne McAra Clark/Anadolu via Getty Images Australia's east coast welcomed 2026 just two hours later, but in Sydney, the country's largest city, celebrations were held under the pall of Australia's worst mass shooting in almost 30 years.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penumbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penumbra. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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