as in shadows
a time or place of little or no light
fumbling around in the semidarkness
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Recent Examples of semidarkness
From its first painterly images, of the face of Meryl Streep, sad and tender and lovely in the semidarkness, the film declares its artistry, its sensitivity and its theme.
—
Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2023
She [Daria] looks at me and smiles in the semidarkness, a calm, shy smile, full of love.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 3 Dec. 2021
Both try to exercise in semidarkness.
—Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2020
Hong establishes feelings of isolation from the very first shot, an image of an empty room in semidarkness that becomes a visual motif in the film.
—Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader, 12 July 2018
Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2023
She [Daria] looks at me and smiles in the semidarkness, a calm, shy smile, full of love.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 3 Dec. 2021
Both try to exercise in semidarkness.
—Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2020
Hong establishes feelings of isolation from the very first shot, an image of an empty room in semidarkness that becomes a visual motif in the film.
—Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader, 12 July 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for semidarkness
Noun
-
But hey, this was the '90s, when being weird for weird's sake was a thing, and a creepy animatronic penguin lurking in the shadows and terrorizing humans in a variety of '90s-ish noir settings is definitely that.—
Debby Wolfinsohn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Afternoon light sweeps across the terrace, casting long shadows along arches and curved walls.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At some point, those fuel sources will be exhausted, no further energy will be naturally extracted from what remains within them, and those once-brilliant objects will fade away into darkness.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
-
With its brilliant prose and unrelenting darkness and pessimism, José Donoso’s The Obscene Bird of Night towers over Chilean literature.—
Larry Rohter,
The New York Review of Books,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Softer lighting feels more refined, enhances curb appeal after dark, and creates a welcoming glow.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Park officials advise visitors not to ride, ski or sled after dark until the lights are fixed.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Similar to bears, experts recommend not leaving food outside, keeping dogs on leashes, avoiding leaving pets outdoors alone, and being mindful when walking or hiking alone during dawn or dusk hours.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The actors’ expressions aren’t wholly legible through the glass and the falling dusk, but the air around them is thick with curdling resentment and sudden grief.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Most notable is the boned corset dress Robbie wore last night at the film’s London premiere, designed by Turkish-British designer Dilara Findikoglu.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Schwesinger was the favorite coming into the night after a tremendous year at middle linebacker for a formidable Browns defense despite what the record may say in 2025.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
She's especially drawn to cool gray tones at the moment, which can make for a nice compromise for anyone who's looking to veer away from white yet isn't quite sold on deep black.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
8 Feb. 2026
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This specific style is available in 31 colors and prints ranging from classic black to glittery brick-red and tropical floral print.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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By the end of February, Saturn’s already in the very low western sky as evening twilight sets in.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
1 Feb. 2026
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Talton described sitting in a wheelchair outside the hospital, watching the downtown Phoenix skyline at twilight.—
Richard Ruelas,
AZCentral.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Semidarkness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/semidarkness. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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