Adumbrating

Adumbrating refers to the act of giving a sketchy outline, vague suggestion, or partial indication of something. It involves hinting at something without fully explaining or revealing it. This could be in the form of a subtle depiction, a preliminary sketch, or a foreshadowing of future events or ideas. The goal is often to provide a sense of what's to come, without providing specific details, leaving room for imagination or interpretation. The term suggests a deliberate act of obscuring or shading, creating an impression rather than a definitive statement. It can also pertain to the idea of overshadowing or eclipsing, as a larger issue might adumbrate the details of a smaller one. The effect on the recipient is one of subtle guidance or gentle introduction to a concept.

Adumbrating meaning with examples

• The novelist skillfully used foreshadowing, adumbrating the tragic end of the protagonist through a series of subtle clues scattered throughout the early chapters. These small details, like a recurring symbol and ominous dialogue, helped build suspense. This allowed the reader a sense of anticipation for the inevitable doom, without explicitly stating how it would unfold. The adumbrating approach created a more powerful impact than a straightforward reveal.
• During the meeting, the CEO was adumbrating the possibility of a significant restructuring, sharing brief financial forecasts but avoiding specifics regarding the scale of potential job cuts. The vague hints concerning budget cuts and potential mergers gave employees a sense of unease, allowing for the potential change and allowing time to mentally prepare. By only giving a preview, the final decision and plan could be changed without a previous solid commitment.
• The artist was adumbrating a landscape with charcoal, barely sketching the outlines of the trees and mountains to capture the mood of the scene. By only laying down a loose, soft image, it left room for the viewer's imagination to fill in the details. The partially developed scene gave an impression of the place, rather than a clear visual representation. It creates a sense of mystery, a suggestion of a full, detailed scene to be imagined.
• The politician was adumbrating his plans for economic reform, speaking in broad strokes and vague promises while avoiding specifics on implementation. He wanted to build excitement, but avoid any promises that he might not be able to keep. By adumbrating the benefits of his policies, he hoped to create a positive perception among the voters without committing to a detailed strategy.
• The author was adumbrating the complexities of the protagonist's character by revealing details that contradicted each other. The contrasting details slowly gave clues to the underlying issues. These glimpses into the character's mind made them all the more real. The adumbrating use of character details allowed for greater depth and allowed the reader to draw their own conclusions.