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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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
Universities have instituted policies that spell out that certain activities, done off the premises and ostensibly outside the penumbra of the University’s authority, will get your butt kicked out of school.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 22 Feb. 2010
Photo: Valerie Terranova Berryman’s conversation with Tennessee Williams exists in the penumbra of her play, but at the Bushwick Starr’s recently opened new space (for which, hip, hip hooray!), the playwright Julia May Jonas is riffing more directly on Arthur Miller.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
The Tesla brand has always been in the shadow of its owner Elon Musk, and more recently that has not been such a positive penumbra for some.
—James Morris, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
Lacking this, other than emanations and penumbras, how exactly are bond prices supposed to measure NRSRO ratings in basis points?
—Barnet Sherman, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for penumbra 
IEEE Spectrum, 22 Feb. 2010
Photo: Valerie Terranova Berryman’s conversation with Tennessee Williams exists in the penumbra of her play, but at the Bushwick Starr’s recently opened new space (for which, hip, hip hooray!), the playwright Julia May Jonas is riffing more directly on Arthur Miller.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
The Tesla brand has always been in the shadow of its owner Elon Musk, and more recently that has not been such a positive penumbra for some.
—James Morris, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
Lacking this, other than emanations and penumbras, how exactly are bond prices supposed to measure NRSRO ratings in basis points?
—Barnet Sherman, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for penumbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penumbra
Noun
-
This effect happens because Earth's atmosphere scatters shorter wavelengths of light from the sun while allowing longer wavelengths of red and orange hues to be refracted into Earth's umbra (the darkest part of Earth's shadow).—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2025
-
Sam attempts to define his version of Captain America, while fighting to exonerate his friend, all while Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson) pulls the strings from the shadows — with the ultimate aim of revenge on Ross for broken promises.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The sun, for all its glitz, tends to hide behind a veil of mystery.—
Monisha Ravisetti,
Space.com,
5 Feb. 2025
-
Favoring minimal-to-no jewelry pieces, Anderson accessorized with a thick black headband attached to a black birdcage veil.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Here’s how Southern designers are incorporating yellow in their own projects, plus their tips for decorating with the oft-misunderstood shade.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2025
-
The royal blue shade and other hues of bright and more muted blue have cropped up in her wardrobe before: a J.W Anderson mini-dress, a silken navy Ferragamo shirt, and a puffball sleeve and skirted Louis Vuitton dress.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Pet fur tends to wrap around the shroud, requiring multiple attempts or complete removal of the bin to clear it fully.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
-
The bodies were wrapped in shrouds, with blue press vests draped over them.—
Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports,
arkansasonline.com,
27 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Shot in inky blackness, Kyle Edward Ball’s film taps into that primal childhood fear of calling out for your parents in the dark and hearing no reply.—
Gayle Sequeira,
Vulture,
20 Jan. 2025
-
Instead of gentle concentric circles, gleaming finishes, or a mesmerizing light show, the ProArt P16 meets us with inky blackness.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
13 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
But the Roman statue distinctly depicts the Greek goddess, with her signature helmet and aegis, or sash-like cloak, draped across her chest.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 Jan. 2025
-
To get as close as possible, under the cloak of darkness, using night vision to ID their man.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
4 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
This could be due to a feline's natural instincts to hunt at dusk and dawn kicking in.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Many birds are more active at dusk and dawn because their songs carry further when the air is cooler.—
Cody Godwin,
USA TODAY,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
At a Kansas City Super Bowl parade last year, a shootout stemming from a personal grievance left a woman dead, wounded about two dozen others and cast a pall on what had been a celebratory day.—
Jason Morris,
CNN,
6 Feb. 2025
-
News of a federal inquiry into Mizuhara's possible links to gamblers cast a pall on Dodgers' 2024 opening games, played in Seoul.—
David K. Li,
NBC News,
6 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Penumbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penumbra. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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