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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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of penumbra
The moon will begin touching the outer shadow of the Earth (known as the penumbra) at 7:41 p.m. CT.
—
Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for penumbra
Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for penumbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penumbra
Noun
-
Patrick Schwarzenegger is learning to define success for himself outside the shadow of his famous family.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Rowley will play Will, a young man caught between two worlds who wants belonging, respect, and a future beyond the shadows of the forest.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Millie Bobby Brown Millie Bobby Brown wore a silver cowl neck gown paired with a coordinating veil from Annie’s Ibiza.—
Violet Goldstone,
WWD,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Right next to them is a little white porcelain cat, outfitted with a simple lacy wedding veil.—
Michael Cuby,
Them,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Botanical Name: Iris reticulata Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade Soil Type: Nutrient-rich, well-draining Soil pH: Neutral (6.5-7.5) 07 of 11 Giant Snowdrop A bulbous perennial in the amaryllis family, Giant Snowdrops produce large, solitary white flowers.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Stockman Products The biggest generational changes come out back in the galley, which still relies on the full-height hatch to provide plenty of shade and weather coverage overhead.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The launch shroud encasing the uncrewed Progress MS-30 (or Progress 91, as NASA refers to it) resupply spacecraft has been decorated with a logo commemorating the centennial of Pavel Belyayev's birth.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
27 Feb. 2025
-
The film, which operated under a hazy shroud after wrapping principal photography in the spring of 2023, underwent 22 days of additional photography in spring of 2024 on its way to its Feb. 14, 2025 release date in after several delays.—
Pamela McClintock,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Passengers experience a few minutes of weightlessness during this stretch and get to see Earth against the blackness of space.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Vega, one of the brightest stars in the night sky, shone above the horizon, brilliant against the blackness.—
Nicholas J. R. White Kat Hill,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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At times, the show subverts expectations, casting Salonga as the Into the Woods witch while Peters prances about in a red cloak as Little Red Riding Hood.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
14 Feb. 2025
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The announcement and teaser also comes after a New York Fashion Week runway collaboration with designer Christian Siriano, indicating that the desire to take back the red cloak is the theme for the end of The Handmaid’s Tale, which will be airing newly into President Trump’s second reelection.—
Jackie Strause,
The Hollywood Reporter,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Jupiter can be seen at dusk, high overhead in the south, according to NASA.—
Terry Dickerson,
NBC News,
27 Feb. 2025
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At dusk, trumpeter Felice Carella and singer Davide Capuano serenaded the pope with a rendition of Schubert’s Ave Maria under his window.—
Silvia Stellacci,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But a few nominees’ past actions have cast a pall over otherwise historic triumphs.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
27 Feb. 2025
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Acting as pall bearers will be Zach Lambrecht, Dustin Lambrecht, Neal Lambrecht, CJ Picha, Lance Picha and Dillon Lambrecht.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to penumbra
Cite this Entry
“Penumbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penumbra. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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