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
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Recent Examples of umbra
During a total solar eclipse, there’s a narrow path of totality projected onto Earth by the moon’s dark central shadow (its umbra).
—
Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
During the event, the moon moves through Earth's umbra, the dark center of its shadow.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
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 totality, the entire moon is inside Earth's umbra, turning a deep red or orange color.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
During the event, the moon moves through Earth's umbra, the dark center of its shadow.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
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 totality, the entire moon is inside Earth's umbra, turning a deep red or orange color.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
Noun
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But when the bus pulled up to a migrant shelter in the border city of Laredo, dropping off a half-dozen families lugging bags stuffed with belongings, the stress of recent weeks tracked mother and daughter like the long shadows on that mid-February afternoon.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
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They got married at the golden hour and stayed until late to shoot photos, their shadows beneath a stream of stars.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
They got married at the golden hour and stayed until late to shoot photos, their shadows beneath a stream of stars.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
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Reporter, author and anthropologist Brian Goldstone has spent years embedded with families in this shadow realm of homelessness.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Boaters can also camp on their boats, which is the perfect opportunity to stargaze after dark.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The orange juice is cold and freshly pressed, the espresso dark and strong, the tea served with a strainer (because proper leaves are used).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Slim sunnies are still en vogue, but oversized shades are perhaps even more popular this season, particularly ’70s-style aviators and bold yet understated black frames.—
India Roby,
Glamour,
24 Feb. 2026
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Longevity typically ranges from four to fifteen washes, depending on the shade and overall condition of the hair.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The possibilities for either an overload of unearned feelings or a frustrating reversal back to darkness loom threateningly.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
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Somewhere above a stream, frogs call into the darkness.—
Leonie Baier,
The Conversation,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Grab Breakfast At Modica Market Modica Market, the one and only grocery ever opened in the town circle, continues serving customers dawn to dusk, after more than 30 years in business.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2026
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Music lovers will want to plan a trip to Montego Bay's annual Reggae Sumfest in mid-July, which draws a lineup of the biggest names in reggae for parties that last from dawn to dusk.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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These stretchy work pants come in sizes extra-small through extra-extra-large, and are available in eight colors, including black, berry, dark gray, gray, navy, brown, beige, and pink (though prices vary by style).—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Feb. 2026
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The Duchess of Sussex stopped by World Central Kitchen to kick off the busy day on Thursday wearing head-to-toe black.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The film's opening two minutes play out in complete blackness, a picture-less overture showcasing legendary James Bond composer John Barry's majestic score.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
8 Feb. 2026
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With the streets in pitch blackness, some neighbors said their cameras don't capture much more than the immediate surroundings of their home.—
Clara Migoya,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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