1
as in shadows
a time or place of little or no light
strange noises were coming from the wooded umbra beyond our campfire
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2
as in shadow
partial darkness due to the obstruction of light rays
during a solar eclipse observers located within the umbra experience a complete blocking of the sun by the moon
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Recent Examples of umbra
During a total lunar eclipse, the moon passes through the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra.
—
Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025
The umbra is a darker inner shadow and the penumbra is a fainter outer shadow, according to NASA.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
Moon enters Earth's umbra, the innermost and darkest part of the Earth's shadow, causing a partial eclipse.
—Allison Kiehl, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
During totality, the moon gradually slips into Earth’s umbra—the darkest part of its shadow—yet never vanishes entirely.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025
The umbra is a darker inner shadow and the penumbra is a fainter outer shadow, according to NASA.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
Moon enters Earth's umbra, the innermost and darkest part of the Earth's shadow, causing a partial eclipse.
—Allison Kiehl, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
During totality, the moon gradually slips into Earth’s umbra—the darkest part of its shadow—yet never vanishes entirely.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
Noun
-
If dogs are our servants, cats are our shadows.—
Rebecca van Laer
September 30,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The shadows will make things difficult, as could the wind.—
Sahadev Sharma,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Goodman’s 43% shadow strike rate ranks 17th in the majors.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Glitter’s dusty shadow, fading into the lower part of the brow bone, brought out the moody hue on the lips.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The drop-in-the-dark attraction features randomized drop sequences that move much faster than Tower of Terror ever did.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
-
There’s one designed around when the sun sets and when there’s full dark.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Merit is also debuting a new Signature Lipstick in shade Maxwell—a mauvy, cinnamon brown is a satin finish that complements any complexion—housed in silver packaging that has Maxwell written all over it.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
25 Sep. 2025
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The vibrant coloring was cut in by a dark brown shade at her roots.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Upon exposure to light — even regular daylight — punicin forms radicals, giving it properties that vary between light and darkness.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Instead, your brain increases melatonin production in response to darkness.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Protect yourself by avoiding the outdoors during dusk and dawn, when mosquito activity peaks.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Rosh Hashanah, which celebrates the new year in Judaism, begins at sunset Monday and ends at dusk on Wednesday.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The palette of whites, greys, and blacks maintain a cohesive color scheme, while there is no juxtaposition between interior and exterior.—
Tristan Rutherford,
Robb Report,
26 Sep. 2025
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Making travel even simpler, the latest Khloe Kardashian x Fabletics collection includes a convertible travel bag in a shade of black.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Huddled on their boat alongside his brother Roderigo as Mami’s galley approached, the inky blackness of the sea illuminated by the ghostly light of the waning moon through the salty air, Cervantes must have felt that uncertainty that marks the death of agency.—
Ed Simon
September 22,
Literary Hub,
22 Sep. 2025
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The pressure and pitch-blackness no longer felt foreign or oppressive.—
Ayana Underwood,
Outside,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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