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 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
The umbra is the inner, darker shadow where full blocking of sunlight takes place.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
This is when the Moon enters the umbra, and the change becomes more noticeable.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026
The partial outer shadow is called the penumbra; the full, dark shadow is the umbra.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 26 Feb. 2026
The umbra is the inner, darker shadow where full blocking of sunlight takes place.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
This is when the Moon enters the umbra, and the change becomes more noticeable.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026
The partial outer shadow is called the penumbra; the full, dark shadow is the umbra.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
Noun
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The fever dream continued with Howard wailing on guitar and vocals, the production morphing into a beautiful stew of blues rock and given an exclamation point – and a standing ovation – with Copeland spinning out of the shadows.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
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His work can be gritty, like an act of discovery, as his camera pops in and out of shadows, through desolate, post-apocalyptic shops and office buildings.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Macron's office said his talks with the Ukrainian leader will focus on efforts to counter Russia's shadow fleet of tankers that are shipping oil in violation of international sanctions but are hard to stop.—
HANNA ARHIROVA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
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Kaitlin Armstrong exists as a shadow throughout the film, a former yoga teacher who became unrecognizable to her friends, including Strickland.—
Ian Dille,
Outside,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Jupiter will be high in the south just after dark.—
Charles Seabrook,
AJC.com,
7 Mar. 2026
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A little lighting can also go a long way toward adding ambience and safety after dark, from a stylish wall lantern (now 87% off) to shatterproof LED string lights that don’t require a plug-in.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Interiors skew minimal and elemental (raw wood, concrete, metal) and spotlight a muted palette of sand and dusty olive green; shades that pull from the sunbaked landscape dotted with palms and agaves.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
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The Wine and Dine shade (a berry blush) is my favorite on my medium to tan skin tone.—
Catharine Malzahn,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Oscar-winning Brit documentarian Orlando von Einsiedel is best known for finding stories of hope and humanity in places of darkness and despair.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
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In the darkness, many make their own light with bioluminescence.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This wrenching documentary takes place on a Florida cul-de-sac where kids play outside from dawn till dusk.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The dog park is open from dawn to dusk from March through November.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Most recently, black-ish star Yara Shahidi played Tinker Bell in the 2023 live-action film Peter Pan & Wendy.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
13 Mar. 2026
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Another cohost, Demi Moore, looked sleek in black-and-brown Gucci print.—
Elise Taylor,
Vanity Fair,
12 Mar. 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 18 Mar. 2026.
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