umbra

noun

ˈəm-brə How to pronounce umbra (audio)
Definition of umbranext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 umbra During the early morning hours, the full moon will gradually slip behind the darkest part of the Earth's shadow, or umbra, and take on a reddish hue. — John Tufts, IndyStar, 1 Mar. 2026 During this event, the entire moon passes through the Earth's umbra (the darkest part of its shadow), causing the moon to appear darkened or reddened. — Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 26 Feb. 2026 Totality ends and the process reverses, with the umbra gradually retreating across the lunar surface. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026 The umbra is the inner, darker shadow, where sunlight is fully blocked from reaching the Moon’s surface. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
  1. shadows
  2. shadow
  3. dark
  4. shade
  5. darkness
  6. dusk
  7. black
  8. blackness
Noun
  • These new developments bring into fuller view some questions that could only linger in the shadows when Shannon and I spoke.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • In the long shadows of the Pacific Northwest, the Yanks were fortunate not to trail 5-1 at the half — and their lone goal came on a Malik Tillman free kick that deflected off a Belgian defender’s head into the net.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026
Definition of shadows
Noun
  • Anyone who notices flashes, new floaters or a shadow in their vision should seek urgent eye care.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026
  • Iran has long relied on a shadow fleet of oil tankers to evade US sanctions, selling most of its oil to China.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Definition of shadow
Noun
  • One incident in June involved hundreds of teens convening after dark at Romare Bearden Park, where police arrested 23 teenagers and one adult and issued citations to 13 parents.
    — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026
  • Undeterred, Norway’s players celebrated with beer and waved as the party continued long after dark.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 14 July 2026
Definition of dark
Noun
  • All shades, all colors, 4 million faces surrounding them with resounding support and unrequited love.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Among those accessories, Middleton sported the Gabrielle earrings from Sézane in a coffee shade, Halcyon Days aquamarine and gold bangle bracelet and a Sézane howlite cuff.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 July 2026
Definition of shade
Noun
  • With Te Fiti gone, a terrible darkness began slowly taking hold of the islands and their surrounding waters.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
  • In the pitch black darkness the mothership had officially landed, and alien-like squid were about to come in like, well, squid to a glowing party boat.
    — Matthew Every, Outdoor Life, 8 July 2026
Definition of darkness
Noun
  • The lights, which cover about a mile of the pathway, operate from dusk to dawn.
    — Emily Carmela Nelson, Idaho Statesman, 13 July 2026
  • The easiest solution is to not leave the cat food out after dusk.
    — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 13 July 2026
Definition of dusk
Noun
  • There are two paint options – blue and two-tone orange-and-black.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
  • Rural areas suffer more than urban; blacks and other minorities have worse outcomes than whites.
    — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of black
Noun
  • Experts say that the biggest challenge at that extreme level of blackness is actually measuring it.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 June 2026
  • In the restaurant, my dad looked at me with the passionate conviction of a man who was confident in his Blackness and wanted nothing more than to pass it on.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Definition of blackness

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Cite this Entry

“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on umbra

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about umbra

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