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 eclipse begins with the penumbral phase, when the moon enters Earth's outer shadow, called the penumbra.
—
William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
The entire moon is still in the penumbra, and the brightness has not entirely returned.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 8 Mar. 2025
The entire eclipse spans 366 minutes (just over six hours), from the moon entering Earth’s penumbra to leaving it.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 7 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
William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
The entire moon is still in the penumbra, and the brightness has not entirely returned.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 8 Mar. 2025
The entire eclipse spans 366 minutes (just over six hours), from the moon entering Earth’s penumbra to leaving it.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 7 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 rift had also cast a shadow at the company’s shareholders’ meeting last month.—
Jonathan Burgos,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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Francis’ shadow looms large, but ultimately, Pope Leo XIV is the successor of Peter, the first pope, not Francis, the most recent one.—
Aryn Baker,
Time,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Assuming Sinners can pierce the veil separating prestige and commerce, the film’s strongest plays will likely come in the craft categories.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
1 May 2025
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Melania Trump wears black veil to Pope Francis' funeral as President Trump dons blue suit As the president's second term in office passes the 100-day mark, here is a closer look at the first lady's lookbook.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The tint blends in nicely with my skin (a deeper shade is available, too) and adds a healthy, nongreasy glow.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
10 May 2025
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Butterfly pea extract is a blue color from which manufacturers can create a range of shades including bright blues, intense purples and natural greens, according to the FDA.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Located atop the power-supply shroud, a second set of fan-mounting holes is threaded to accept included #6-32 screws from the top.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
1 May 2025
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See treasures Iron brooches that would have been used to secure shrouds or clothing were found placed around the chest or wrist in some graves, researchers said.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Flying your favorite spacecraft is as simple as plopping down in the captain’s chair to engage in some hairy dogfights and clandestine patrols over strange worlds or the inky cosmic blackness as the gameplay shifts from a standard FPS to a third-person perspective.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
5 Mar. 2025
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Perry and crew experienced a few minutes of weightlessness and got to see Earth against the blackness of space.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The highlight is a room housing exceptional creations including the court cloak with a sweeping train worn by Franca Florio, the wife of a Sicilian businessman and shipowner, when she was appointed lady-in-waiting to Italy’s Queen Elena in 1902.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
7 May 2025
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And the feather cloak was woven using a technique that, until now, has only been found in Chimú and Inca sites dating a few centuries later, reports Spanish news agency Agencia EFE.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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While people riding horses is a frequent trope for the genre, several moments set at dusk or against a cloudy sky deftly capture the movie’s melancholic mood.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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Venice, Italy: Resort 2010 Courtesy of Chanel The location: A boardwalk along Venice’s Lido at dusk along which guests were seated on sun beds in tented cabanas.—
Steff Yotka,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Nonetheless, the turmoil could cast a pall over the Cannes Film Festival this month, where a lot of indie movie deals happen.—
Ryan Faughnder,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2025
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The network canceled the series, but the scandal cast a pall over the magazine’s reputation.—
Jason Clinkscales,
Sportico.com,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penumbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penumbra. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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