UMBRA Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

umbra

noun

ˈəm-brə

Definition of umbra

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

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 During the early morning hours, the full moon will gradually slip behind the darkest part of the Earth's shadow, or umbra, and take on a reddish hue. — John Tufts, IndyStar, 1 Mar. 2026 During this event, the entire moon passes through the Earth's umbra (the darkest part of its shadow), causing the moon to appear darkened or reddened. — Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 26 Feb. 2026 Totality ends and the process reverses, with the umbra gradually retreating across the lunar surface. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026 The umbra is the inner, darker shadow, where sunlight is fully blocked from reaching the Moon’s surface. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for umbra

Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra

Noun

While humanity knows about superheroes like Spider-Man (hence, the events of the previous games), mutants are still largely living in the shadows.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026
Lancelot, noticeably weary, impassive, and preoccupied atop an equally weary black horse, follows the sorcerer, while Merlin leads him up the path into the realm of shadows, out of the frame to the left.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026

Definition of shadows

Noun

Although this performance does dip into a reckoning with her more basic shadow self, Cohen brings Broad Strokes to its conclusion briskly and with minimal bathos.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 28 July 2026
However, Leo’s shadow can show up as a mix of defensiveness, entitlement or an excessive attachment to validation.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026

Definition of shadow

Noun

Each person’s light-dark exposure also differs depending on habits and location, which makes timing the biological clock difficult to measure precisely.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2026
Open areas around Wolfe Lake and Chignecto Campground provide good visibility toward the southwest during the eclipse, while the surrounding dark-sky corridor supports decent Perseid observing conditions after dark.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 19 July 2026

Definition of dark

Noun

Taupe linen shades soften red brick walls, as do teal velvet sofas, handmade straw baskets, and wool blankets woven by local company Evangeline.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 July 2026
In addition to white, the button-down comes in eight colors, including multiple summer-ready shades like light green, light blue, and peppermint green.

— Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

Definition of shade

Noun

Permanent daylight saving time would shift some trips from darkness into daylight and others in the opposite direction.

— Chris Hardesty, AJC.com, 23 July 2026
Swelling from a razor-thin crescent into a cratered world before fading back into the darkness, Mars gave NASA's Psyche spacecraft both a spectacular view — and a 1,000-mph boost toward its namesake asteroid.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of darkness

Noun

Notably, the sleeveless ensemble featured a floor-length fringe skirt in black, adding an unexpected twist to the minimalist design.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 25 July 2026
Besides being interesting on their own, some of these distant cometlike bodies have odd orbits that hint at the existence of another major planet out there in the inky black.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 24 July 2026

Definition of black

Noun

Experts say that the biggest challenge at that extreme level of blackness is actually measuring it.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 June 2026
In the restaurant, my dad looked at me with the passionate conviction of a man who was confident in his Blackness and wanted nothing more than to pass it on.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 June 2026

Definition of blackness

Browse Nearby Words

ululating

umbra

umbrage

See all Nearby Words

Articles Related to umbra

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of umbra

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

9 Fun Words for Ghosts and Goblins

'Stygian,' 'Umbra,' and Other Words for...

'Umbrella': A History

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on umbra

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inveigle

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes