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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

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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 Earth's shadow, called an umbra, is cast across the moon’s surface, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026 For a few fleeting minutes, observers inside the moon’s dark central shadow — the umbra — will see the sun completely covered, revealing the spectacular solar corona and plunging landscapes into an eerie twilight. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026 The full eclipse, or totality, begins when the moon moves completely into the umbra, turning its usually white surface a dim reddish-orange. — Stefanie Waldek, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026 The part of the moon inside the umbra appears very dark. — Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 2 Mar. 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
  • To be fair, Snyder, who’s also credited as the film’s cinematographer, captures no shortage of admittedly stirring images throughout, especially those involving flickering light and brooding shadows.
    — Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Bluesign is stepping out from the supply chain shadows and into the world of consumers.
    — Jessica Binns, Vogue, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of shadows
Noun
  • Sandusky’s trial produced shocking testimony from other victims The shadow of Penn State’s influence in this borough in the center of the commonwealth continues to hang over the case.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Not only does this monitor support HDR10, but also Black Equalizer, which brings out the deep shadows for more immersive contrast.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of shadow
Noun
  • Indian dark and African dark were a different story altogether, seeming to hold something more sinister.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Jordan Brand will partake, albeit less thematically, as well with an Air Jordan 5 with glow-in-the-dark accents.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of dark
Noun
  • Johnson has recently taken her brunette hair a few shades darker for fall, the richer color worn loose around her shoulders with her trademark brow-skimming bangs.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The rich chocolate brown shade makes the pairing look so expensive.
    — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of shade
Noun
  • For the role, Miike didn’t reach for an actor already associated with darkness.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Elk may be moving to and from the shelter of timber at the edge of darkness.
    — Jim Zumbo, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of darkness
Noun
  • Adriatic sage brings the outdoors in—this candle smells like an open window in the height of Italian summer, sunlight on tile floors, and triple servings of pasta to come in the late dusk.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Great for hiking, everyday wear, and travel days, these shoes will support you from dusk to dawn thanks to their cushy arch-supporting midsole, secure and adjustable heel lock strap, and additional lugs for even better traction.
    — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of dusk
Noun
  • In the rape scene, the live action is intercut with flashes of staged broken glass against black and the words in Tessa’s own head.
    — Beandrea July, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Fiel, vice president of brand and creative at the AI-native startup Newton, loves reinventions of utilitarian clothing, favoring functional pieces in deep greens and blacks.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of black
Noun
  • In the foreground, the telescope's payload adapter can be seen, while just behind, the orbital observatory floats into the blackness of space with its solar arrays still folded for launch.
    — Brett Tingley, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Totality was extraordinary, with a circle of blackness in the sky.
    — Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of blackness

Browse Nearby Words

ululating
umbra
umbrage
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Cite this Entry

“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on umbra

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about umbra

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