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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of penumbra
Lacking this, other than emanations and penumbras, how exactly are bond prices supposed to measure NRSRO ratings in basis points?
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Barnet Sherman, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
The moon will begin entering Earth’s outer shadow, known as the penumbra, at 8:41 p.m. Eastern time, according to NASA.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Sep. 2024
The penumbra, or outside edge of the Earth's shadow, covers the remaining portion of the moon.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024
The moon will begin touching the outer shadow of the Earth (known as the penumbra) at 8:41 p.m. ET.
—Diana Leyva, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for penumbra 
Barnet Sherman, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
The moon will begin entering Earth’s outer shadow, known as the penumbra, at 8:41 p.m. Eastern time, according to NASA.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Sep. 2024
The penumbra, or outside edge of the Earth's shadow, covers the remaining portion of the moon.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024
The moon will begin touching the outer shadow of the Earth (known as the penumbra) at 8:41 p.m. ET.
—Diana Leyva, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for penumbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penumbra
Noun
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Buck stands under the soft glow of Tiffany-style fixtures, his guitar slung casually over his shoulders and his brown cowboy hat casting a shadow over his black denim jacket.Maxwell Williams, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
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Since its discovery in the 1970s and protection under the Endangered Species Act, the snail darter has cast a long shadow over American law, conservation and biology.Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Mars clouds have wispy features, more like a gauzy veil than a fluffy sheep.Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
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Alas, the clouds soon gathered, casting their veil over the moon, obscuring it from sight.Brett Tingley, Space.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Shop them in a variety of shades, from classic blue and washed black to white and more.Talia Abbas, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025
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In one photo, he is seen alongside Grande and Erivo, wearing their costumes (and some cool shades) as Elphaba, Glinda and Boq.Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Shrouds David Cronenberg’s body horror flick stars Vincent Cassel as Karsh, a businessman overwhelmed with grief at the death of his wife who builds a device — a high-tech shroud — to watch her body decompose in real-time.Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Jan. 2025
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The 20th century saw the shrouds surrounding the mysteries of science and creation being pulled back to reveal a universe of incredible, awe-inspiring wonder.Ken Bridges, Austin American-Statesman, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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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
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The Mid-Credits Scene — the King in Black The central plot of The Last Dance revolves around Venom trying to stop the creator of the symbiotes, Knull (Andy Serkis), from escaping his celestial prison and returning all of existence to the Void, the blackness that predates the universe.Richard Newby, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The pieces on display vary from dark cloaks to Rick Owens–inspired lunar boots to one fat-ass matte black biker helmet.Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2025
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For an offshore man of mystery and ill repute, a diplomatic post is a protective cloak that brings with it varying degrees of immunity, not to mention an alternative passport to travel and transact with; a new identity untethered from the past; and a noble (honorable, even) foil.Atossa Araxia Abrahamian Atossa Araxia Abrahamian, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This bucket-list worthy kayaking experience starts at dusk and will take participants through the iconic Flowerpot Rock formations.Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
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Piccadilly Circus is seen at dusk, on 7th January 2025, in London, England.Jenni Reid, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The report and the subsequent reorganization cast a pall on the show, evaporating its famous party atmosphere.Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
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That monologue really did cast a pall over the entire episode.Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Penumbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penumbra. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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