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
The umbra is a darker inner shadow and the penumbra is a fainter outer shadow, according to NASA.
—
Melina Khan, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
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
The part of the moon inside the umbra appears very dark.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Melina Khan, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
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
The part of the moon inside the umbra appears very dark.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
Noun
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Cast adrift in a frosty wilderness—a harrowing yet welcome departure, visually, from the Gothic shadows of Victor’s lair—the Creature experiences a dollop of decency, courtesy of a blind old farmer (a wonderful David Bradley), but also a deluge of misery, courtesy of everyone else.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
28 Oct. 2025
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The facility also replicates the moon's intense sunlight, harsh shadows and dust-laden environment, providing a realistic setting for testing equipment like Argonaut.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The morning light casts jagged shadows across the pink stone, catching the saguaro spines and illuminating them like desert saints.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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While dance music vocalists often live in the shadows of the scene, her goal is to put herself, her voice, her personality and her stories at the fore.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Choose your own adventure with recommendations for food, fun and after-dark inspirations.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Oct. 2025
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However, the Yankees likely would not want to see sign with the Boston Red Sox -- which is why MassLive reporter Chris Cotillo's shot-in-the-dark prediction about the construction of Boston's bullpen next season might be of some concern to New York supporters.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The set is available in 19 colors, including a rich clay shade ideal for autumn.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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The trendy shoe was released in many skin-tone shades as part of a Nudes capsule collection released over the summer.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Their entrance featured Black's hard-hitting music along with darkness and smoke on the stage.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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In the forests of northern Vietnam, researchers on the hunt for frogs trekked through the dense leaves and trees under the cover of darkness .—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Here, guests can enjoy barbecues on the beach, or settle in for a cocktail on the cliffs at dusk, paired with ocean views.—
Gwen Nicol,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Oct. 2025
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Try top-water lures at dawn or dusk.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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If the black isn’t to your taste, the slippers are also available in gray and brown.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
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Another regret included low-quality finish coatings, especially on matte black, bronze, or brushed gold items.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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One hour becomes two, two become three, my mind straining for answers in the blackness.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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Smoke and blackness enfolded him.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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