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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
Fear may thrive in the shadows, but here, under bright fluorescent lights, the terror feels even more malevolent, something ambient and inescapable.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
In contrast to the cocoon-like interiors of the Venus, this SUV gets a bright and airy cabin with four of what Hyundai's calling 'air-hug' seats, along with mood lighting and subtle design elements inspired by tree shadows and map patterns.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Lahav black ballgown with sheer black veil and beaded appliqués throughout.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Rieger Lorenz hit the crossbar in OT1 … and then senior captain Kent Anderson pierced the veil in OT2.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The deeper shade paired with a boxy, oversized fit will make this lightweight denim jacket a standout in your travel wardrobe that can be styled endlessly to instantly make even your simplest outfits look cooler.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
-
And no shade to daylight activities—after all, who doesn’t appreciate a bright lawn or a glittering pool—but comfortable nights under the stars can be particularly magical.—
Kelly Dawson,
Architectural Digest,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Toyo Ito’s 2006 Meiso no Mori Funeral Hall in Gifu, Japan, shelters mourners beneath an undulating thin-concrete canopy like a billowing shroud.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The aftermath of his teenage sister’s tragic death in a car accident was a shroud over his childhood.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This particular view of our host galaxy doesn't look directly towards the core, but rather into one of its spiral arms, where countless deep-space objects areshining against the blackness of space.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Later in the day, a live video feed from a camera mounted on one of Orion's solar wings showed the moon dead ahead, a tiny gray marble suspended in blackness.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
A little girl covered head to toe in an all-enveloping cloak furiously peddles a bicycle.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2026
-
There's a good chance of seeing the endangered mourning cloak butterfly in early spring.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Both a once-in-a-lifetime artwork and a free, public venue where every day, from dawn till dusk, people can live and imagine.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Neon lights glow from dusk until midnight.—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Smith’s injury certainly cast a pall on the Knights, but the team managed a 5-0 win.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
-
What a pall over the most holy week in the Christian calendar.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penumbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penumbra. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
