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
Totality occurs at 2:26 a.m. EDT when the entire moon is under the umbra.
—
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025
Fourth contact is when the leading edge passes out of the umbra and becomes easily visible again, ending totality, and fifth contact is when the entire moon is fully out of the umbra.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2025
In a total eclipse, the moon passes through Earth’s umbra, the darkest part of our planet’s shadow.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025
Totality, the point at which the moon enters the Earth’s inner shadow (umbra) and begins a visual transformation, will occur between 2:26 a.m. and 3:31 a.m. EDT.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025
Fourth contact is when the leading edge passes out of the umbra and becomes easily visible again, ending totality, and fifth contact is when the entire moon is fully out of the umbra.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2025
In a total eclipse, the moon passes through Earth’s umbra, the darkest part of our planet’s shadow.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025
Totality, the point at which the moon enters the Earth’s inner shadow (umbra) and begins a visual transformation, will occur between 2:26 a.m. and 3:31 a.m. EDT.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
Noun
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The shadow of the current assault on public lands weighs heavy while reading this lovely book.—
Melina Sempill Watts,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
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Tokyo’s hospitality scene is as diverse as the city itself, a place of dizzying contrasts where ancient temples sit in the shadow of gleaming skyscrapers, and traditional craftsmanship juxtaposes cutting-edge technology.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
26 June 2025
Noun
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Ditto for pale eyeshadow applied over the entire lid, which appears even more like clown eyes when a dark (and often uneven) eyeliner is applied.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
20 June 2025
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The search was suspended at dark on Thursday and resumed Friday morning.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
Noun
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There are 14 shades available, each delivering a lightweight, natural glow.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
26 June 2025
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The Nosferatu actor, 35, shocked fans by ditching his signature dark brown hair for a brighter, much bolder shade.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
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Coast Guard helicopters and planes are assisting to ensure search operations can continue even in darkness.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
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Down the road, Kulak and her family stood alone in Chimney Rock Village, scraping, painting and rebuilding as nightfall cast the town into darkness.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 July 2025
Noun
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Winged Photo Competition Winners At dusk, a family of six Honduran white bats roost on the underside of a leaf, preparing to take off in search of their dinner.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
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These fogging operations take place at dusk, when mosquitoes are most active and looking for food, officials said.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2025
Noun
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Flaunt this fun, floral style, or opt for their best-selling classic black.—
Meg Donohue,
Town & Country,
31 Jan. 2023
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Take your pick from black to mocha to crisp, winter white.—
Taylor Jean Stephan,
Peoplemag,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
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Its flights last 10 to 12 minutes from liftoff to capsule touchdown; passengers get to experience a few minutes of weightlessness and see Earth against the blackness of space.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
20 June 2025
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The scene of Stan’s eruption mirrors the film’s opening—when, out of blackness, a nothingness, the face of a boy emerges, his eyes sunk in fear.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 June 2025
Noun
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How to view planet alignment 2025 Planet parades must be observed during twilight between dawn and sunset so a glowing sky does not obscure the view.—
Marina Johnson,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
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Amidst the urban twilight, two friends take photos at one of the last New York City phone booths when the phone begins to ring.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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