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, 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
During tonight's event, the full moon will pass through the northern part of Earth's umbra, causing the lower half of the moon (as seen from the Northern Hemisphere) likely to be darker than the upper half.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
There's a large fuzzy outer shadow, called the penumbra, and a much smaller, darker central shadow, the umbra.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 23 Mar. 2025
During totality, the moon enters Earth's umbra—the darkest, central part of its shadow—and gradually dims.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
During tonight's event, the full moon will pass through the northern part of Earth's umbra, causing the lower half of the moon (as seen from the Northern Hemisphere) likely to be darker than the upper half.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
There's a large fuzzy outer shadow, called the penumbra, and a much smaller, darker central shadow, the umbra.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 23 Mar. 2025
During totality, the moon enters Earth's umbra—the darkest, central part of its shadow—and gradually dims.
—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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Pulling down the shades during the day can prevent the house from heating up, added Marottoli.—
Julia Ries,
Health,
26 June 2025
Noun
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There is darkness out there, and it’s got to go somewhere.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
22 June 2025
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After this stop, the ship will cross over into the Arctic Circle, where the many hours of winter darkness are most conducive to spotting the northern lights.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Photo : Open Homes Photography Warm lighting trails the loggia walkways at dusk.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
20 June 2025
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Anshun bridge reflecting in the Jinjiang river at dusk in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.—
Amala Balakrishner,
CNBC,
19 June 2025
Noun
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Take your pick from black to mocha to crisp, winter white.—
Taylor Jean Stephan,
Peoplemag,
31 Jan. 2023
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Flaunt this fun, floral style, or opt for their best-selling classic black.—
Meg Donohue,
Town & Country,
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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Adding to the litany of shabbiness is the fact that the company is in its twilight.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
22 June 2025
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In contrast, heading south, the duration of twilight is shorter.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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