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 partial outer shadow is called the penumbra; the full, dark shadow is the umbra.
—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
For now, we’re held in the sweet penumbra of heaviness.
—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
16 Dec. 2025
During a partial solar eclipse, the umbra misses Earth, with only the penumbra — the moon's outer, fuzzier and lighter shadow — striking Earth.
—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
The umbra is a darker inner shadow and the penumbra is a fainter outer shadow, according to NASA.
—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penumbra
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
For now, we’re held in the sweet penumbra of heaviness.
—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
16 Dec. 2025
During a partial solar eclipse, the umbra misses Earth, with only the penumbra — the moon's outer, fuzzier and lighter shadow — striking Earth.
—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
The umbra is a darker inner shadow and the penumbra is a fainter outer shadow, according to NASA.
—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penumbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penumbra
Noun
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Squirrel monkeys—a petite, chirruping, tree-climbing species whose dark muzzle gives the impression of permanent 5 o’clock shadow—have to deal with that proportional dilemma, too.
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Reflections, shadows and motion blur can all reduce detection confidence.
Noun
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The veils of the universe have thinned.
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Lipa also wore a six-metre tulle wedding veil that was also hand-embroidered with beads and feathers.
Noun
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The cinnamon sugar option offers a pretty shade (basically my lips but better) plus a super yummy scent.
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The electric blue shade adds such a fun pop of color to a summer wardrobe, instantly brightening up basics like white jeans, denim shorts, or neutral trousers.
Noun
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Smoke from a Boyle Heights warehouse fire shrouds Dodger Stadium in acrid haze before the Dodgers’ 12-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
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Silver and predatory birds aside, Silver and eagles aside, the shoe features a black leather and mesh region beneath the shroud with a red Jumpman.
Noun
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Experts say that the biggest challenge at that extreme level of blackness is actually measuring it.
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Hawthorne mostly succeeds at keeping the blackness in check in this foray into YA.
Noun
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Throughout premodern Europe, this is how she was known—the figure in the cloak with a stool on her back, walking to houses at all hours, day and night.
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Throughout history, kings, queens and other members of the royal family have donned luxurious fur stoles, floor-length fur coats, capes with mink trims and cloaks with ermine edges (that's weasel fur).
Noun
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Over 82 nights in April, May, September and October, researchers interviewed visitors after dusk at campgrounds, scenic overlooks and parking areas.
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Arrive before dusk and marvel at the biggest fireworks display in the region.
Noun
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Trump started the day threatening to block Congress’ biggest bipartisan legislation of his second term over a voter ID bill that faces no path to law — casting a pall over a Capitol that had already begun celebrating a rare cost-of-living victory.
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The team boarded the bus in Cleveland after a 117-95 blowout by the Cavaliers in dead silence, an icy pall setting in among teammates desperate not to let losing become comfortable.
Cite this Entry
“Penumbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penumbra. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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