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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of penumbra
The eclipse begins with the penumbral phase, when the moon enters Earth's outer shadow, called the penumbra.
—
William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
The entire moon is still in the penumbra, and the brightness has not entirely returned.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 8 Mar. 2025
The entire eclipse spans 366 minutes (just over six hours), from the moon entering Earth’s penumbra to leaving it.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The eclipse begins with the penumbral phase, when the moon enters Earth's outer shadow, called the penumbra.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penumbra
William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
The entire moon is still in the penumbra, and the brightness has not entirely returned.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 8 Mar. 2025
The entire eclipse spans 366 minutes (just over six hours), from the moon entering Earth’s penumbra to leaving it.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The eclipse begins with the penumbral phase, when the moon enters Earth's outer shadow, called the penumbra.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penumbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penumbra
Noun
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With mighty Yankee Aaron Judge huffing and puffing at the plate, a lone insistent chant emerged from a Dodger fan lurking in the shadows.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
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President Trump's shadow is cast over this Sunday's presidential election runoff election, with polls showing a tight race between Warsaw’s mayor, Rafał Trzaskowski, and his conservative challenger, Karol Nawrocki.—
Chris Massaro,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Lovato, meanwhile, was a vision in her custom Vivienne Westwood wedding gown and cathedral-style veil.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
27 May 2025
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The bride completed the look with a long cathedral veil.—
Ilaria Perrotta,
Glamour,
26 May 2025
Noun
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There are fans and even a few misters especially in the ride queues, but some sun shades would be a very welcome addition.—
Mackenzie Schmidt,
People.com,
22 May 2025
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And because blue is a serene choice all around for a bedroom, these denim-centric shades offer a feel that’s timeless and inviting.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
22 May 2025
Noun
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Further down the road, a proper F50 cleat with a TPU shroud enabling everyday wear is expected to release in 2026 while catering to the #BootsOnlySummer TikTok trend.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
13 May 2025
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As this happens, the gas in this stellar shroud accelerates to speeds as great as 1.6 million miles per hour (700 kilometers per second), which is around 1,000 times as fast as the top speed of a Lockheed Martin F-16 jet fighter.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The 40-second clip shows the Kuiper satellites separating from their launch vehicle in the blackness of space following liftoff Monday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
3 May 2025
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After a surge of spring storms, Mr. Jacobs descended into freezing blackness for the third time in late February.—
Sruthi Gurudev Jules Jacobs,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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For instance, forget the Vader helmet, that set is the first one to give Titans a cloak, which will be cool by itself.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
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The cloak and the other grave goods suggest that the Caral culture developed both advanced fishing technology and artistic techniques.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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An elusive apex predator was recorded casually strolling among homes at dusk in a California neighborhood, police said.—
Brooke Baitinger,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
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Lake Austin sits minutes away for a paddle or a dusk cruise.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Noun
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Still, the pall of Chinese interference continues to dog this election.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
29 Apr. 2025
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Cronenberg gives the whole movie a funereal pall: a sense that sad things are going to happen to good people, but there’ll be a sad honor to it all.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penumbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penumbra. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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