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
When the moon moves into the inner part of Earth's shadow, or umbra, according to NASA, some of the sunlight entering Earth's skies scatters before reaching the moon's surface.
—
John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 11 July 2025
During a total lunar eclipse, the entire moon falls within the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, called the umbra.
—Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The first and innermost darkest shadow is called the umbra (pronounced UM bruh).
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2025
After about an hour, a partial eclipse will begin that will be visible to all U.S. residents across the country, followed by the total lunar eclipse beginning when the moon is fully in the Earth’s umbra and turns a coppery red around 2:30 a.m. ET.
—Nick Jachim, The Hill, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 11 July 2025
During a total lunar eclipse, the entire moon falls within the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, called the umbra.
—Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The first and innermost darkest shadow is called the umbra (pronounced UM bruh).
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2025
After about an hour, a partial eclipse will begin that will be visible to all U.S. residents across the country, followed by the total lunar eclipse beginning when the moon is fully in the Earth’s umbra and turns a coppery red around 2:30 a.m. ET.
—Nick Jachim, The Hill, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
Noun
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But the broadening of their investor base – from institutional investors to high-net-worth individuals to, eventually, 401(k)s – has ushered alternative asset managers out of the shadows.—
Leslie Picker,
CNBC,
2 Sep. 2025
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Nearly four decades after its release, Labyrinth continues to captivate not just because of its dazzling visuals or iconic performances, but because of the emotional truths buried beneath its whimsy and shadows.—
Logan Karlie
September 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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New Light Show Eventually, the NuPhy team managed to create a homogenous light source by placing the LEDs at different angles to the beans and that eliminated the shadows.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Ortega, who has lived in the shadows of the Coliseum since moving from Nayarit, Mexico, in 1992, said Oakland needed more days like these after the departures of three pro sports teams.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Unlike some products that promise glow-in-the-dark illumination that barely shows, our testers found that the Takeya Actives Kids Water Bottle fully delivered on its promise.—
Chaunie Brusie,
Parents,
3 Sep. 2025
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Speaking of headlights, the Concept C gets narrow ones with four elements that switch in place between daytime running lamps and proper projector beams for use after dark.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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If metallic bronze isn’t your aesthetic, the pumpkins come in a whopping 24 colors, including autumnal neutrals like classic orange and white, as well as fun bubblegum pink and aqua blue shades.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Sep. 2025
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Large retractable awnings, originally installed to keep rain out, now also provides critical shade from the sun.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Folklore portrays them as menacing figures lurking in the darkness who can possess those who wander too far from home.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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Aesthetically and emotionally, Swag II is dawn chasing darkness away.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Mothers will return there only to feed the babies, usually twice a day at dawn and at dusk, and the kits are at risk from predators including dogs and cats.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
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People can reduce mosquito bites by avoiding dark clothing, minimizing outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, and eliminating standing water.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Gray tones, blacks, murky greens, and of course, the midnight blue complete the look.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
6 Sep. 2025
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And there are dozens of shades, from mahogany to chocolate and cognac to chestnut, that will totally level up your outfit for the better when paired with black.—
Abby Morgan Lebet,
Glamour,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But the town’s blackness isn’t just about coal—or, for that matter, about the police abuse Shinhye suffers there.—
Lily Meyer,
The Atlantic,
5 Sep. 2025
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When D’Silva signaled to turn off the flashlights and thrash our arms around, the blackness transformed into a beautiful cloud of luminous phosphorescence.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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