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

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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 Because the moon — about 2,159 miles (3,475 kilometers) in diameter — is much smaller than Earth, its darkest central shadow, known as the umbra, is only a few hundred kilometers wide. — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 10 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
  • Ivan’s room feels practically airless, his face obscured in shadows, or captured in hazy side profiles, as Anica’s bright, concerned gaze holds the frame’s focus.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
  • While looking at the shadows, Crimmins allegedly maneuvered the grapple so that its shadow appeared to grab Lynch’s shadow.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of shadows
Noun
  • Then there are shadow fleets, used often by countries under sanctions.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The umbral shadow will first appear as a small semicircle of shadow close to the dark expanses of Oceanus Procellarum (the Ocean of Storms) and Mare Humorum on the moon's southwestern edge, before swiftly spreading to swallow the nearby moonscape.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of shadow
Noun
  • For a taste of the Mediterranean, Beach Rogue, with its after-dark DJ and near-promise of shark sightings, is the spot to book.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Search operations were scheduled to conclude in the mid-evening Saturday, so all personnel could leave the field before dark, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of dark
Noun
  • One of our favorite newcomers is Saie, which has just launched an edit of SuperSuede eye shadows in 11 delicious individual autumnal shades.
    — Elle Turner, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There are two lounge chairs inside and two more on the private deck, with a heated infinity pool and a circular daybed, tucked beneath the awning for shade.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of shade
Noun
  • Superstitious Romans imagined demons lurking in the darkness under the toilet seats.
    — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Overnight from Thursday to Friday, the moon will pass into the shadow of the Earth sending part of the world into total darkness.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of darkness
Noun
  • People who are at high risk are urged to be especially cautious outdoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquito activity is highest.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • For many, Menorca, one of Spain’s Balearic Islands, is synonymous with summer which makes Son Ermità like the thrill of the first dip in the sea in the morning or the joy of the last swim at dusk.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of dusk
Noun
  • Then a mysterious woman dressed in black simply appears in the yard—and begins moving closer to the house.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • This style is available in 14 colors, including a Holmes-like brown, classic black, and rich burgundy.
    — Neha Tandon, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of black
Noun
  • Totality was extraordinary, with a circle of blackness in the sky.
    — Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Experts say that the biggest challenge at that extreme level of blackness is actually measuring it.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 June 2026
Definition of blackness

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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 31 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on umbra

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about umbra

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