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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 shadows of the trees swaying in the breeze flickered across it.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Low light can also obscure visual information rather than simply make an image darker, and nighttime conditions vary with cameras, shadows, glare and other sources of noise.
    — Bo Wang, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of shadows
Noun
  • This can result in sensitive data leakage and the unauthorized use of AI tools, creating shadow AI.
    — Eleonora Liapina, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Congress does bear real responsibility here, and too many of my colleagues are afraid of their own shadows on this issue.
    — Don Bacon, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of shadow
Noun
  • Basically, darks need to match parameters such as exposure time, gain and resolution, yet the Mini already knows the settings for the imaging session and can determine that the library of darks in the app don't match what's required.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Her hair was parted in the middle with the darker color ending just around her cheekbones, transitioning into a warm blonde blend of gold, honey, and wheat tones atop dark under layers.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of dark
Noun
  • The moonphase disc has been done up in the same shade, along with the subdials.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The color was its usual platinum shade with a touch of brown at her roots.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of shade
Noun
  • Wever was drawn to her latest role, in A24’s film Primetime, for its darkness.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Following a bohemian couple from Istanbul who hit a wall both creatively and personally, this slow-burn drama takes a little too much time to get the ball rolling but evolves into an honest portrait of artists finding their way out of the darkness.
    — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of darkness
Noun
  • Mellow is the Clark+Kensington palette inspired by late afternoon, just before dusk arrives.
    — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2026
  • There are also ways to protect against mosquito bites, including insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin, avoiding outdoor activities at dawn and dusk, and wearing loose fitting long sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of dusk
Noun
  • And members of these new churches were mostly not the black-dressed, hypocritical, sour-faced, monocultural figures favored by popular narrative, but often included colorful figures who were sometimes surprisingly modern in their desires.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Espresso, mocha and cognac tones are offering a warmer, more nostalgic alternative to cool grays and sharp blacks across fashion and interiors.
    — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of black
Noun
  • Auroras blaze on the lefthand side of the photo, and star trails sparkle across the blackness of space in the distance.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 22 Sep. 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 1 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on umbra

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about umbra

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