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
So, unlike last year, no place on Earth will see the glorious spectacle of a total eclipse, but instead, the moon's outer shadow (the penumbra) will scrape the top of our globe creating a more modest partial eclipse.
—
Joe Rao, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Here's what time Hoosiers can start watching the eclipse, according to NASA:
11:57 p.m., Penumbral eclipse begins: The moon enters the Earth’s penumbra, the outer part of the shadow.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2025
The stages of the total lunar eclipse: 1) Moon enters penumbra
The shadow cone of the Earth has two parts: a dark, inner umbra, surrounding by a lighter penumbra.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Mar. 2025
From Good Friday until Saturday night the whole village was held under the penumbra of the eclipse the Gospel writers claimed had arrived as Christ drew his last breath on the Cross.
—Lamorna Ash, The Dial, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for penumbra
Joe Rao, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Here's what time Hoosiers can start watching the eclipse, according to NASA:
11:57 p.m., Penumbral eclipse begins: The moon enters the Earth’s penumbra, the outer part of the shadow.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2025
The stages of the total lunar eclipse: 1) Moon enters penumbra
The shadow cone of the Earth has two parts: a dark, inner umbra, surrounding by a lighter penumbra.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Mar. 2025
From Good Friday until Saturday night the whole village was held under the penumbra of the eclipse the Gospel writers claimed had arrived as Christ drew his last breath on the Cross.
—Lamorna Ash, The Dial, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for penumbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penumbra
Noun
-
That article in the title casts a long shadow over the seating options that follow.—
Sloane Crosley,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
-
By undermining the American bedrocks of private property and competitive enterprise in so extraordinary a way, these new fusions of economy and state—of production and government—cast a long shadow over Trump’s deregulatory legacy.—
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
One through line between the films and the series are the headdresses, veils and hair jewelry.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Also regarding her bridal look, Oduor chose a neck scarf and a practical hairstyle — rather than a veil — to best fit the wedding's coastal setting.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The exterior may be a rich terra-cotta shade, but the interiors are all bright and airy.—
Jessica Cherner,
Architectural Digest,
13 Aug. 2025
-
This supersoft sleeveless piece molds like clay on to your body and comes in a variety of sizes and shades.—
Dory Zayas,
Glamour,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
After spending the first part of the season distraught over potentially being married off to the Duke through a shroud financial deal negotiated by her parents, Gladys finally walked down the aisle.—
Stacy Lambe,
People.com,
11 Aug. 2025
-
These events are tougher to see in galaxies with dense dusty shrouds, however.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
Passengers experience a few minutes of weightlessness and get to see Earth against the blackness of space.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
31 July 2025
-
Then blackness, the last traces—the moment of medium desire, forgetfulness, being confused, weariness, and doubt.—
Amie Barrodale,
Harpers Magazine,
16 July 2025
Noun
-
The cloak represents the emotional intelligence required to discern when to engage and when to protect one's energy.—
Carla D. Thompson Payton,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Whereas Survivor and Big Brother are much more like cloak and dagger.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
In the context of these intellectual efforts, philosophers have, like the owl of Minerva, arrived at dusk, that is to say, with most of the day’s intellectual labor now complete.—
Sebastian Purcell
August 18,
Literary Hub,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Chris Dickerson of Boone, Miss., who was staying at the resort, landed a 59-incher at dusk within view of camp as Hinrichs steered the Warship back to the dock.—
Brad Dokken,
Twin Cities,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But the threat of being attacked publicly by Trump, with midterms one year away, has cast a pall over most Republicans who may have once been inclined to rein in executive powers — and have now seen enthusiastic Trump supporters oust a growing cast of moderate former colleagues.—
Allan Smith,
NBC news,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The deal, pending the approval of Major League Baseball, capped a 10-month sale process that had cast a pall over the franchise and had already been marred by billionaire Justin Ishbia abandoning his pursuit of the Twins to instead buy eventual control of the White Sox.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penumbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penumbra. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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