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 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
The second shadow in an eclipse is known as the penumbra (pronounced peh NUM bruh).
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2025
Earth's shadow in space — which is always there — has two parts: a fuzzy outer penumbra and a deep, dark umbra.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for penumbra
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
The second shadow in an eclipse is known as the penumbra (pronounced peh NUM bruh).
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2025
Earth's shadow in space — which is always there — has two parts: a fuzzy outer penumbra and a deep, dark umbra.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for penumbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penumbra
Noun
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Plus, the unknown impact AI will have on SaaS companies casts a brutal shadow over the sector, and the impact on Workday is significantly visible.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
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Mostly, however, Gee’s sophisticated, stealthily moving film folds any bursts of emotion into its exquisitely dark shadows, letting Evans’ limpid but heartsore music do most of the weeping.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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At the last minute, Hannah decided to add a veil.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
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Newspaper archives show couples wearing their finest attire, brides wearing veils cascading down their full-length gowns and others wearing red or pink in a nod to Valentine’s Day.—
Melissa Renteria,
San Antonio Express-News,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Trees and bucks cover eco-friendly cork wallpaper that ties to an antelope statue to signal the travels of Edgar Perry while Lutie’s (his wife) room is its opposite with light salmon shades contrasting wild leopard carpet and soft velvets.—
Mandy Ellis,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
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Since each piece is simple and flattering they can be worn together or separately, not to mention the pairing comes in a staggering 19-shade range with sizes spanning from XS to 2XL.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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One man is covered with a bloody white shroud inside a body bag.—
Marin Scott,
NBC news,
14 Jan. 2026
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The opposition needs to offer a credible safe exit for these regime insiders, convincing them that the Islamic Republic is no longer their shield, but their shroud.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 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
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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
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The bonnet-and-cloak outfit was largely inspired by a can of Old Dutch cleaning solution.—
Will Croxton,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
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Priests with brown cloaks and long hoods walked through it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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As dusk settles over Minneapolis, something unexpected appears on the side of the YWCA building.—
Derek James,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
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City of London skyline with 20 Fenchurch Street, affectionately nicknamed the Walkie Talkie as light fades at dusk on 27th November 2025 in London, United Kingdom.—
Hugh Leask,Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Slot also spoke about the impact of losing Diogo Jota, a tragedy which has cast a pall over the campaign.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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Still, an obvious pall hung over the team, and no one needed to ask why the atmosphere was so dire.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penumbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penumbra. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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