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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of umbra
During a total lunar eclipse, the moon passes through the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra.
—
Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025
The umbra is a darker inner shadow and the penumbra is a fainter outer shadow, according to NASA.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
During totality, the entire moon is inside Earth's umbra, turning a deep red or orange color.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
The moon will exit the Earth’s umbra as the color fades away, and the eclipse will end by 6 a.m. Friday.
—Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Sep. 2025
The umbra is a darker inner shadow and the penumbra is a fainter outer shadow, according to NASA.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
During totality, the entire moon is inside Earth's umbra, turning a deep red or orange color.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
The moon will exit the Earth’s umbra as the color fades away, and the eclipse will end by 6 a.m. Friday.
—Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
Noun
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Trump drops f-bombs, and others are following suit Some lawmakers are worried because the most offensive language about procreation and defecation has emerged from the shadows and into everyday discourse.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
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Then, through the upstairs window, moving shadows can be seen.—
Lauren A. White,
CBS News,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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To skirt sanctions, Iran operates a shadow fleet of vessels to export oil at a steep discount.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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Joseph, taciturn, with an angular face and the shadow of a mustache, was a commander in his father’s military.—
Nicolas Niarchos,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Colder air will move in after dark with increasing snow intensity expected and roadways becoming dangerous.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Feb. 2026
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The campaign nods to archival Loro Piana communication from the 1990s and to campaigns dedicated to the precious dark Merino Pecora Nera wool, to its signature White Sole shoe, and to the Loro Piana Record Bale Award.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Some begonias are annuals, others perennials so always read the care tags but all prefer full to partial shade.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
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Homidi’s signature Cream Cashmere Soft Shadow shades impart a diffused effect that creates a skinlike finish on lids.—
Arden Fanning Andrews,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Penge was in the last group Thursday and was on the 10th hole when play was suspended because of darkness.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
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Ukrainians across the country are freezing in the darkness as Russia continues its campaign of strikes on energy infrastructure.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Then larger things, too, and larger-than-large things—profound things, even—like the boundless sky at dusk when work was done.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
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This year, starting Wednesday, Muslim families will fast from dawn to dusk, and mosques are opening their doors to neighbors each evening, not simply as a ritual but as a reminder that personal discipline and public responsibility are inseparable.—
Irfan Sarwar,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The brown suede pair is so stunning, but the black is perfectly chic.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
22 Feb. 2026
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Eric Zeman)<\/small>\n<\/div>\n
The Pixel 10a comes in Berry (reddish), Fog (light green), Lavender, or Obisidan (black).
—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The film's opening two minutes play out in complete blackness, a picture-less overture showcasing legendary James Bond composer John Barry's majestic score.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
8 Feb. 2026
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With the streets in pitch blackness, some neighbors said their cameras don't capture much more than the immediate surroundings of their home.—
Clara Migoya,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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