Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Yet Oldham divined a prohibition from the penumbras of an 1872 statute.

From Slate • Jul. 10, 2025

On a December day in the foothills near Seattle, walking into the sun southward and nearly blinded, all you can see are penumbras of emerald-green moss along the vertical edges of the trunks.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 18, 2022

Rigging raises a sheet, in front of and behind which the dancers play with shadows, misshapen ones with extra auras and penumbras.

From New York Times • Sep. 11, 2022

I have been studying the Constitution very carefully, including the emanations of the penumbras, and I can see why people might think there was some inherent right to dinner.

From Washington Post • Jul. 8, 2022

The deputy pivoted in the direction of the doorway and shouted at a featureless face broken up in equidistant penumbras by four bars, “Who’s there?”

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy