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
Sixth contact is when the moon leaves the penumbra and the eclipse is officially over.
—
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2025
The moon will enter the outer part of the Earth’s shadow, called the penumbra.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 8 Mar. 2025
There's a large fuzzy outer shadow, called the penumbra, and a much smaller, darker central shadow, the umbra.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 23 Mar. 2025
The eclipse begins with the penumbral phase, when the moon enters Earth's outer shadow, called the penumbra.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penumbra
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2025
The moon will enter the outer part of the Earth’s shadow, called the penumbra.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 8 Mar. 2025
There's a large fuzzy outer shadow, called the penumbra, and a much smaller, darker central shadow, the umbra.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 23 Mar. 2025
The eclipse begins with the penumbral phase, when the moon enters Earth's outer shadow, called the penumbra.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penumbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penumbra
Noun
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The final scene shifts to the three Fates, also known as the Kindly Ones, knitting in the shadows.—
Aya Al-Hakim,
People.com,
7 July 2025
-
The op-ed made the incredible claim that ratings agencies were being swayed by public utilities companies, meanwhile the PURA chair operates in the shadows.—
Timothy M. Herbst,
Hartford Courant,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
Previously, veils of grandeur — or length — were reserved for royal nuptials.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
30 June 2025
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The veil between the online and offline realms feels thin as Zoomers socialize in their Zoomer way: playful, anarchic, yet always aware of the camera.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
There are 14 shades available, each delivering a lightweight, natural glow.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
26 June 2025
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Pulling down the shades during the day can prevent the house from heating up, added Marottoli.—
Julia Ries,
Health,
26 June 2025
Noun
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Later, before the funeral, the child's father, Mahmoud, kisses his son’s feet, the white shroud stained with bright-red blood.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
21 May 2025
-
Once in space, the rocket releases the payload shroud, usually in two halves.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
16 May 2025
Noun
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Its flights last 10 to 12 minutes from liftoff to capsule touchdown; passengers get to experience a few minutes of weightlessness and see Earth against the blackness of space.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
20 June 2025
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The scene of Stan’s eruption mirrors the film’s opening—when, out of blackness, a nothingness, the face of a boy emerges, his eyes sunk in fear.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 June 2025
Noun
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Set in the year 3333 on a desolate alien world, players take on the role of the Swordsman, a somewhat blank slate character with minimalist features clad in a tattered cloak.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
24 June 2025
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The series also serves as the MCU’s introduction of spectral magic meeting tech via the villainous character The Hood (Anthony Ramos), a low-level criminal who stumbles upon a magical cloak powered by the same forces depicted in Doctor Strange.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
23 June 2025
Noun
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Winged Photo Competition Winners At dusk, a family of six Honduran white bats roost on the underside of a leaf, preparing to take off in search of their dinner.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
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These fogging operations take place at dusk, when mosquitoes are most active and looking for food, officials said.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2025
Noun
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Sunday’s Game 7, the 20th in NBA Finals history, remained close through the first half even after Haliburton’s injury cast a pall over the proceedings.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
23 June 2025
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But the glow of success, and even more so the pall of failure, is always shared.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penumbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penumbra. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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