1
as in shadows
a time or place of little or no light
strange noises were coming from the wooded umbra beyond our campfire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
The umbra is a darker inner shadow and the penumbra is a fainter outer shadow, according to NASA.
—
Melina Khan, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
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
The part of the moon inside the umbra appears very dark.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Melina Khan, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
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
The part of the moon inside the umbra appears very dark.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
Noun
-
There are long shadows on the ground.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
However, a telescope with an aperture of 6-inches or more with a magnification between 100X to 150X under good atmospheric conditions will provide a good view of the shadows, while helping to resolve details in the gas giant's stormy surface.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Then one, two, three of them step out from the arboreal shadows, into a clearing in the valley.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Mazar-i-Sharif’s iconic Blue Mosque was damaged in the quake, footage on social media geolocated by CNN revealed, with its base littered with rubble - early evidence of the destruction captured in the shadows before dawn.—
Masoud Popalzai,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Like other dark, leafy green vegetables, beet greens contain nitrates and are high in beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Forget wasteful palettes with unused pans, the universally flattering Gris Doux works for everyday or can be layered to create more intensity after dark.—
Ellie Davis,
Vogue,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Get it in 24 different colors from neutral shades to vibrant colors.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The shades, stoic facial expressions and ensembles?—
Diana Pearl,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But there was moments of darkness.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Everyone else is shrouded in darkness.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The best time to see Sandhill Cranes is dawn and dusk from October to about February.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Despite the ban, enthusiasts have continued to jump in secret, often at dawn or dusk to avoid detection.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
If the black isn’t to your taste, the slippers are also available in gray and brown.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Another regret included low-quality finish coatings, especially on matte black, bronze, or brushed gold items.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
One hour becomes two, two become three, my mind straining for answers in the blackness.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Smoke and blackness enfolded him.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share