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 entire eclipse process is projected to end by 6 a.m. as the moon slowly exits the Earth's penumbra, NASA explains.
—
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
The umbra is much darker than the penumbra and fairly sharp-edged.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Mar. 2025
First contact is when the moon’s leading edge moves into the penumbra.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2025
The first phase will begin when the moon enters Earth’s penumbra or outer shadow.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penumbra
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
The umbra is much darker than the penumbra and fairly sharp-edged.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Mar. 2025
First contact is when the moon’s leading edge moves into the penumbra.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2025
The first phase will begin when the moon enters Earth’s penumbra or outer shadow.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penumbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penumbra
Noun
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Chantel Christie-Jeffries, the daughter of Jackie Christie, steps out of her mother’s shadow and into the fire, raising the stakes for a family dynamic already rich with tension.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
3 Apr. 2025
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Musk’s outsize support of Trump was always a political risk, but his decision to come aboard the administration and, at one time, position himself as a kind of shadow president is arguably the biggest bet of his career.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The exclusion of frill makes these unfussy bridal gowns ideal for accessorizing with a piece of special jewelry or a statement veil.—
Sarah Zendejas,
Vogue,
6 Apr. 2025
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There’s the requisite shot of a perfect toro nigiri, a thin veil of soy sauce glistening on top, or a close-up of a minimalist ceramic vase.—
Elena Clavarino,
Air Mail,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Her love of the shade doesn't just date back to Wicked's release, though.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Plants benefit from afternoon shade in warm Southern climates.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Before Lavin’s death shrouds the season’s homestretch in grief, the best dramatic beats come from Bomer, whose character gets some sweet scenes with a closeted young Mormon and one solid episode featuring Billie Lourd as Jerry’s long-estranged daughter.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2025
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Scientists have known since the 1990s that complex processes taking place in Earth's atmosphere because of climate change could reduce the density of the upper layers of the planet's gaseous shroud.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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There is beauty in blackness, this exhibition argues, value in places that lack light.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
24 Mar. 2025
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On a cold January day, the sun sets early and rises late, yielding to a blackness that envelopes the island, a blackness so deep that the light of stars manifests suddenly at dusk and the glow of the moon is bright enough to navigate by.—
Nicholas J. R. White Kat Hill,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The shrubs also host the larvae of 18 kinds of butterflies and moths, including eastern tiger swallowtail and mourning cloak butterflies.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2025
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Designed by master perfumer Jacques Cavallier, the luxe fragrance cloaks Chinese white teas in notes inspired by a botanical garden.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Best Time To See The Full Worm Moon Rise In the wake of the excitement of the total lunar eclipse, don’t overlook the opportunity to view the just-off full moon rise in the east during dusk the following evening.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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The deck outside the main living space offers jaw-dropping views, the scenery shifting from the golden glow of sunrise to the soft hues of dusk.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on several trade partners have also raised fears of a recession, casting a pall on consumer sentiment in the United States.—
Juveria Tabassum,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
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Washington has cast a pall on business investment and consumption demand, which could tip the softening US economy into a recession—and drag the rest of the world economy down with it.—
Eswar Prasad,
Foreign Affairs,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penumbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penumbra. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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