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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of umbra
During the early morning hours, the full moon will gradually slip behind the darkest part of the Earth's shadow, or umbra, and take on a reddish hue.
—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
1 Mar. 2026
During this event, the entire moon passes through the Earth's umbra (the darkest part of its shadow), causing the moon to appear darkened or reddened.
—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
26 Feb. 2026
Totality ends and the process reverses, with the umbra gradually retreating across the lunar surface.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
The umbra is the inner, darker shadow, where sunlight is fully blocked from reaching the Moon’s surface.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for umbra
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
1 Mar. 2026
During this event, the entire moon passes through the Earth's umbra (the darkest part of its shadow), causing the moon to appear darkened or reddened.
—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
26 Feb. 2026
Totality ends and the process reverses, with the umbra gradually retreating across the lunar surface.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
The umbra is the inner, darker shadow, where sunlight is fully blocked from reaching the Moon’s surface.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
Noun
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As a result, MSV now lives on in the shadows.
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Aerial video of the blaze showed smoke billowing from numerous beachside buildings, with large gray plumes of smoke casting dark shadows on the beach's turquoise waters.
Noun
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However long and tangled her rap sheet, Sugar sees her illuminatory potential through the grime and shadows of an unforgiving film-noir cityscape.
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Practically, states can adopt cooperation measures to curb the shadow fleet.
Noun
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Stilla handles the all-day and the after-dark with a tight list of spritzes and Bellinis plus a crisp food menu featuring lobster and classic sandwiches, solid burgers, and a genuinely good vegan club.
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Be sure to check out the Vewolight Solar Rain Gauge, which adds a warm glow after dark and helps track rainfall.
Noun
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The cinnamon sugar option offers a pretty shade (basically my lips but better) plus a super yummy scent.
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The electric blue shade adds such a fun pop of color to a summer wardrobe, instantly brightening up basics like white jeans, denim shorts, or neutral trousers.
Noun
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This allows the robot to operate autonomously in complete darkness, harsh sunlight, and rapidly changing lighting conditions while maintaining accurate mapping, obstacle detection, and path planning for uninterrupted inspections and patrols.
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The most beautiful of all the zodiacal constellations is now visible, low toward the south-southeast as darkness falls.
Noun
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Avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk.
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Honeysuckle The warm, heady, floral scent of honeysuckle, which is strongest at dusk, is instantly recognizable, and the romantically rambling vines and tubular blooms make the climbing varieties cottage-garden classics.
Noun
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Her eyes were blue, and her robe was astral black.
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Her hair, once again, was styled in a beautiful updo that gains volume at the back, while her lashes are coated in a rich, deep black.
Noun
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Hawthorne mostly succeeds at keeping the blackness in check in this foray into YA.
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From individual missions to tours aboard the ISS, video games have featured surprisingly often in the inky blackness of space.
Cite this Entry
“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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