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
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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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for penumbra
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
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
See All Example Sentences for penumbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penumbra
Noun
-
The lights will be dancing across a bridge that has spent nearly a century living in the shadow of its more glamorous Golden Gate sibling just across the water.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Together, the litigation cast a long shadow over the company but did not derail its latest acquisition.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Not one to be outdone in the gothic department, Hamnet director Chloé Zhao wore a black veil from designer Gabriela Hearst, who also did her black gown, on the red carpet.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
17 Mar. 2026
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Clad in a long black veil, a necklace shaped like an Ouroboros snake, and a tiered leathery gown, Zhao looked like something Drusilla dreamed up during Buffy’s original run.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For European spring/summer 2026, Dacia adds a new wraparound 10 x 10-foot (3 x 3-m) awning to the lineup, bringing some always-welcome shade to vehicular base camp.—
C.C. Weiss
March 24,
New Atlas,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen threw some shade to former teammate Michael Jordan in a new pop commercial.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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He had been released by the Philadelphia Phillies in February amid a shroud of controversy regarding his relationship with manager Rob Thomson and others in the organization.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Many of its songs crystallize around samples of choirs singing, their soft syllables dissolving beneath heavy shrouds of reverb.—
Sasha Geffen,
Pitchfork,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The film's opening two minutes play out in complete blackness, a picture-less overture showcasing legendary James Bond composer John Barry's majestic score.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
With the streets in pitch blackness, some neighbors said their cameras don't capture much more than the immediate surroundings of their home.—
Clara Migoya,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The humidity wraps around us like a wet cloak pierced only by the relentlessness of the mosquitoes.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
-
In the years after the monarchy was overthrown, the government required women to wear dark, long, baggy cloaks with socks and sensible shoes.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
People should also avoid walking pets at night or during dawn and dusk hours, when coyotes are most active.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
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By dusk on Monday, only three of the men’s top 10 were alive at Miami.—
Susan Miller Degnan,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The allegations against Chavez have cast a pall over his legacy, and the fallout has been swift.—
Stephanie Elam,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
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The outbreak of war in the Middle East has cast an unexpected pall over a broker community that was anticipating a bountiful sales year in 2026.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penumbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penumbra. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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