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
This will be difficult to see, but the show will really begin at 01:09 A.M. on March 14, when the moon will enter the umbra, the darker shadow, and look like it is slowly being eaten.
—
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 9 Jan. 2025
When the moon moves into the inner part of Earth's shadow, or umbra, according to NASA, some of the sunlight entering Earth's skies scatters before reaching the moon's surface.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 27 Dec. 2024
Derived from the Latin word for shadow, umbra, Umbria is greatly obscured by its more famous neighbor, Tuscany.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 17 Dec. 2024
Here's why During a partial lunar eclipse, the moon passes through only part of the Earth's shadow, or umbra, entering into an imperfect alignment with the sun and Earth.
—John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 9 Jan. 2025
When the moon moves into the inner part of Earth's shadow, or umbra, according to NASA, some of the sunlight entering Earth's skies scatters before reaching the moon's surface.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 27 Dec. 2024
Derived from the Latin word for shadow, umbra, Umbria is greatly obscured by its more famous neighbor, Tuscany.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 17 Dec. 2024
Here's why During a partial lunar eclipse, the moon passes through only part of the Earth's shadow, or umbra, entering into an imperfect alignment with the sun and Earth.
—John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
Noun
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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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See if the Ohio History Center comes alive after dark at Night at the Museum.—
Andrew King,
Axios,
27 Feb. 2025
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Florida Man also doesn’t do dark and overly morbid things.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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Ever the pro, Goggins carries Rick’s darkness through every scene, and from this point forward viewers know the driving force behind it.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
23 Feb. 2025
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Instead, your brain increases melatonin production in response to darkness.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Immerse yourself in sound and sight atop a mountain The eight-minute gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain at dusk, as alpenglow tints the peaks apricot and the lights of town begin to twinkle below, may be entertainment enough (66 dollars per person, reserve online).—
Cindy Hirschfeld,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
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The storm didn’t let up, so the Coast Guard suspended the search for Ralph at dusk.—
Robert E. Houle,
Outdoor Life,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Flaunt this fun, floral style, or opt for their best-selling classic black.—
Meg Donohue,
Town & Country,
31 Jan. 2023
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Take your pick from black to mocha to crisp, winter white.—
Taylor Jean Stephan,
Peoplemag,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
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Shot in inky blackness, Kyle Edward Ball’s film taps into that primal childhood fear of calling out for your parents in the dark and hearing no reply.—
Gayle Sequeira,
Vulture,
20 Jan. 2025
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Instead of gentle concentric circles, gleaming finishes, or a mesmerizing light show, the ProArt P16 meets us with inky blackness.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
13 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The twilight tributes included Pete Seeger The Power of Song (2007), an irresistible hagiography directed by Jim Brown for PBS’s American Master series.—
Thomas Doherty,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Feb. 2025
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These stars appear in that order, as the twilight sky grows dark.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
17 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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