penumbra

noun

pə-ˈnəm-brə How to pronounce penumbra (audio)
Definition of penumbranext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of penumbra The Moon moves right to left, passing through the penumbra and umbra, leaving in its wake an eclipse diagram with the times at various stages of the eclipse. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Mar. 2026 During many eclipse seasons, the moon merely skims Earth's penumbra and umbra. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2026 The partial outer shadow is called the penumbra; the full, dark shadow is the umbra. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026 For now, we’re held in the sweet penumbra of heaviness. — James Parker, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for penumbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penumbra
  1. shadow
  2. veil
  3. shade
  4. shroud
  5. blackness
  6. cloak
  7. dusk
  8. pall
Noun
  • Why not try to capture the moon using a DSLR camera and a telephoto lens when the Harvest Moon rises and in the weeks that follow to track how the shifting shadows alter its appearance?
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Larger backlight zones can allow light to spill into darker parts of the image, making blacks appear gray and reducing detail in shadows.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of shadow
Noun
  • The jeweler recently posted up-close photos of the ring on Instagram, as well as a snap of Lee wearing a white veil and kissing Posty’s head while showing off the sparkling rock on her finger to the camera.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The bride wore a sleeveless, knee-length A-line frock, paired with a short tulle veil and simple white heels.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of veil
Noun
  • Aside from the accessible play structures and equipment, Empowerment Park has group picnic and BBQ areas, community garden beds, accessible off-street and disabled parking, shade structures and self-cleaning restrooms.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Whether your skin skews golden, peach, olive, or pink, there are multiple shades with different undertone options to guarantee a close match.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of shade
Noun
  • That has astronomers eagerly awaiting what can be seen as the shroud over the heart of the Milky Way gets at least partially lifted.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The secrecy mandate in state law shrouds more than just the financial details of a project.
    — Rob Davis, ProPublica, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of shroud
Noun
  • Totality was extraordinary, with a circle of blackness in the sky.
    — Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Experts say that the biggest challenge at that extreme level of blackness is actually measuring it.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 June 2026
Definition of blackness
Noun
  • The sculpture depicts a female figure, her cloak billowing out in the shape of a seed around her and etched with more than 300 global symbols of peace, holding olive branches and surrounded by six children, each representing a continent.
    — Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Accompanying the drones will be a suite of musical scores and dialogue from the films, as well as a live performance by an electric violinist (dressed in a wizard’s cloak) to help amplify the soundtrack.
    — Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of cloak
Noun
  • One Tuesday at dusk, children played around the monument while adults read the plaques on the June Bug’s wings that reflect the major milestones of a life of entrepreneurship and daring.
    — Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Stop at Height of Land for a wide-angle view of Mooselookmeguntic Lake surrounded by mountains, then watch for moose along quieter roads around dawn and dusk.
    — Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of dusk
Noun
  • Whatever its stated purpose, the assertion seemed designed to cast a pall on the elections four months hence.
    — James Robenalt, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026
  • Slower growth could cast a pall on the November midterm elections.
    — David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 25 July 2026
Definition of pall

Browse Nearby Words

penultimate
penumbra
penumbrae
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Cite this Entry

“Penumbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penumbra. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on penumbra

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about penumbra

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