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
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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
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
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Over the course of the next 70 seconds, Mauricio Pochettino’s team put together a 26-pass move from left to right, through defense and attack and left Paraguay’s players chasing shadows.—
James Robson,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
-
Light filters through various openings, while shadows pool in unexpected corners.—
Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
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The characters’ stick-figure proportions feel all the more glaring next to the complexity and generosity of Jud, whose insistence on his innocence is clouded by the shadow of his guilty past.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
11 Dec. 2025
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As a second act, it was also destined to live in Folklore’s shadow — especially after the latter took home Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The desert city has long been known for spiritual retreats, vortex hikes, and restorative getaways, but more visitors are now flocking there after dark.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
9 June 2026
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After neighboring businesses raised concerns about young crowds and live music after dark, Mura was forced to relocate his entire operation less than two months after opening.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 June 2026
Noun
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But the shade of pink and black trim for the shirts, shown in an image from FIFA’s official X account, is eerily similar to those worn by Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, the reigning 2025 MLS Cup champions.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
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Real estate platform Zillow just dropped its 2026 Paint Color Analysis, which breaks down the shades that are catching the eye of home buyers—or turning them away—to help sellers score the highest offer.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Just as sunlight interrupts the darkness over his small Hokkaido city, the 76-year-old pulls on his rain boots and dons a bright orange jacket.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
11 Dec. 2025
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Death Valley has been designated as a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park, which signifies the highest rating of darkness, according to the NPS.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Don't hike at dawn, dusk, or at night, when bears are most active.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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The month marks the height of bat season, culminating in Bat Fest, when, come dusk, over a million bats take flight from the Congress Avenue Bridge.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
9 June 2026
Noun
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The fuchsia tone is, of course, the most attention-demanding, and black is always a safe bet—especially for more formal events.—
Alexandra Malmed,
InStyle,
9 June 2026
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In contrast, Ruben is dressed head-to-toe in black.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
9 June 2026
Noun
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Only his beard breaks the blackness, the white cascading down his vestments.—
Grayson Haver Currin,
Pitchfork,
14 May 2026
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In it, a crescent of Earth’s blue vitality hovers amid the blackness of space, above a high-definition brownish gray wasteland of lunar craters.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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