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
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
During totality, the entire moon is inside Earth's umbra, turning a deep red or orange color.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
The moon will exit the Earth’s umbra as the color fades away, and the eclipse will end by 6 a.m. Friday.
—Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
During totality, the entire moon is inside Earth's umbra, turning a deep red or orange color.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
The moon will exit the Earth’s umbra as the color fades away, and the eclipse will end by 6 a.m. Friday.
—Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
Noun
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But hey, this was the '90s, when being weird for weird's sake was a thing, and a creepy animatronic penguin lurking in the shadows and terrorizing humans in a variety of '90s-ish noir settings is definitely that.—
Debby Wolfinsohn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Feb. 2026
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Afternoon light sweeps across the terrace, casting long shadows along arches and curved walls.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Morato, who was drafted in to replace Murillo as the left-sided central defender, was a shadow of his fellow Brazilian.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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These concerns are sharpened by the shadow of Epstein, whose connections to powerful figures continue to surface.—
Lauryn Overhultz , Ashley Papa , Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Softer lighting feels more refined, enhances curb appeal after dark, and creates a welcoming glow.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
3 Feb. 2026
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Park officials advise visitors not to ride, ski or sled after dark until the lights are fixed.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The rich brown shade imparts barely-noticeable color that subtly brightens my gaze, while lifting and separating each lash with just a few swipes.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
3 Feb. 2026
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Bieber attended the 68th Grammy Awards wearing a manicure that matched her lip combo perfectly—and required a combination of four iconic shades to achieve.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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At some point, those fuel sources will be exhausted, no further energy will be naturally extracted from what remains within them, and those once-brilliant objects will fade away into darkness.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
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With its brilliant prose and unrelenting darkness and pessimism, José Donoso’s The Obscene Bird of Night towers over Chilean literature.—
Larry Rohter,
The New York Review of Books,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Similar to bears, experts recommend not leaving food outside, keeping dogs on leashes, avoiding leaving pets outdoors alone, and being mindful when walking or hiking alone during dawn or dusk hours.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
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The actors’ expressions aren’t wholly legible through the glass and the falling dusk, but the air around them is thick with curdling resentment and sudden grief.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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She's especially drawn to cool gray tones at the moment, which can make for a nice compromise for anyone who's looking to veer away from white yet isn't quite sold on deep black.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
8 Feb. 2026
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This specific style is available in 31 colors and prints ranging from classic black to glittery brick-red and tropical floral print.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
7 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 11 Feb. 2026.
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