umbra

noun

ˈəm-brə How to pronounce umbra (audio)
Definition of umbranext
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

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 The Earth's shadow, called an umbra, is cast across the moon’s surface, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026 For a few fleeting minutes, observers inside the moon’s dark central shadow — the umbra — will see the sun completely covered, revealing the spectacular solar corona and plunging landscapes into an eerie twilight. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026 The full eclipse, or totality, begins when the moon moves completely into the umbra, turning its usually white surface a dim reddish-orange. — Stefanie Waldek, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026 The part of the moon inside the umbra appears very dark. — Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
  1. shadows
  2. shadow
  3. dark
  4. shade
  5. darkness
  6. dusk
  7. black
  8. blackness
Noun
  • The group uncovers betrayal within its own ranks and faces a battle for the fate of the world, ultimately awakening their true powers and restoring peace, though a new threat emerges quietly in the shadows.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Why not try to capture the moon using a DSLR camera and a telephoto lens when the Harvest Moon rises and in the weeks that follow to track how the shifting shadows alter its appearance?
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of shadows
Noun
  • Sandusky’s trial produced shocking testimony from other victims The shadow of Penn State’s influence in this borough in the center of the commonwealth continues to hang over the case.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Not only does this monitor support HDR10, but also Black Equalizer, which brings out the deep shadows for more immersive contrast.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of shadow
Noun
  • It was shot after dark and follows the cast through the streets, waterfronts, cars and bridges of New York City.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Record-warm overnight lows meant apartments that used to cool off after dark stopped doing so.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of dark
Noun
  • Aside from the accessible play structures and equipment, Empowerment Park has group picnic and BBQ areas, community garden beds, accessible off-street and disabled parking, shade structures and self-cleaning restrooms.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Whether your skin skews golden, peach, olive, or pink, there are multiple shades with different undertone options to guarantee a close match.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of shade
Noun
  • As anybody who has been camping knows, the flicker of bright flames against the darkness can be as much a visual distraction as a point of focus.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • At Wimbledon last year, a match restarted for just 70 seconds, as Ben Shelton beat Australia’s Rinky Hijikata after officials paused their match overnight due to darkness.
    — Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of darkness
Noun
  • But my eyes or mind (or maybe even my soul) just wouldn’t stop waiting for dusk.
    — Holden Frith, TheWeek, 4 Sep. 2026
  • For children themselves, wonder remains abundant—in the bigness of a Tyrannosaurus rex in a museum, or the flicker of fireflies in the summer dusk.
    — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of dusk
Noun
  • Every scene is optimized in real time for infinite contrast, deep blacks, and lifelike highlight detail without blooming.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Deep reds, juicy purples, and glassy blacks are just some of the colors that the experts are recommending.
    — Odeya Pinkus, InStyle, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of black
Noun
  • In the foreground, the telescope's payload adapter can be seen, while just behind, the orbital observatory floats into the blackness of space with its solar arrays still folded for launch.
    — Brett Tingley, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Totality was extraordinary, with a circle of blackness in the sky.
    — Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of blackness

Browse Nearby Words

ululating
umbra
umbrage
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Cite this Entry

“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on umbra

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about umbra

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