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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That moniker comes from a violent 1967 peasant uprising against oppressive landlords in Naxalbari, a village in the shadow of the Himalayan foothills in northeast India.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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That combination of the huge volume spike, along with the rapid decline in short interest with an incredibly fast parabolic rise in the share price, tells you beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was a short squeeze and a massive one at that.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
Noun
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The look was from the brand’s 1995 haute couture collection, modelled on the runway by Kate Moss with a bridal veil and bouquet.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
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The structure can withstand winds up to 180 mph, and is clad in a veil of termite-resistant charred cedar backed by an air pocket that helps keep the interior cool.—
Fred Albert,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
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Whether bright red, jet black or a shade in between, natural hair color is determined by how much melanin is in your hair.—
Kathleen Felton,
Washington Post,
3 June 2026
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Her mother is a short way off and has seated herself on a flattish rock in the shade of an oak tree.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Underneath remains the traditional lacing system, while the shroud itself is made out of ripstop that appears to be less hearty than that used on the Evo SL ATR.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
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For the young man watching her, the dress becomes the shroud of his dream of infinite pleasure.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
Noun
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From individual missions to tours aboard the ISS, video games have featured surprisingly often in the inky blackness of space.—
William Worrall,
Space.com,
30 May 2026
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Lighting the mood Production design includes dramatic lighting effects, intensely bright (oof, that spotlight) to sudden pitch-blackness.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2026
Noun
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Another configuration is the poncho or cloak mode, which can be used around camp.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
2 June 2026
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From up here, San Sebastián gleams to the east, the sea stretches endlessly forward, and silence settles like an ancient cloak.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Wearing long sleeves and long pants, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
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People can reduce their odds of getting West Nile by wearing insect repellent and covering skin while outdoors; limiting activity at dawn and dusk; emptying any standing water around their homes; and repairing door and window screens as necessary.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
2 June 2026
Noun
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The greatest loss, as microdemographics turn away from and against one another and a grim pall descends over public life, might be that of late night as a venue to forget our differences (or at least laugh about them) long enough to have fun together, like a functional society.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
22 May 2026
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Casting a pall over the nuptials, Harry Beaton (Spencer Davis Milford), hopelessly in love with Jean, threatens to destroy Brigadoon’s miracle by leaving the town for good.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penumbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penumbra. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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