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 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 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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
Noun
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On this play for the third out in the second inning, Tatis was battling the shadows and took a step back before running up and making a sliding catch.— Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
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The short answer is that a wide gulf exists between rumor and fact and Swalwell lurked in that gray space, living and thriving in the shadows between provability and denial.— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Over the course of the series’ six episodes, their relationship waxes and wanes, but continues to cast a shadow over their fates until the finale’s electrifying denouement.— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
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However, at least 26 of shadow fleet vessels have breached the US blockade line as of Monday, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence, a maritime intelligence firm.— Alayna Treene, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Tanning shades come in light, medium, dark, and ultra dark.— Tori Crowther, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
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Glow from decay drives the system The device works by using tritium, a radioactive form of hydrogen often found in glow-in-the-dark products.— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Consider these octagonal readers that come in shades of brown, red, and blue, or this wrinkle-resistant button-up shirt that’s ideal for travel.— Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
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Before slipping into silence in the mid-’90s, Souled American had morphed from rootsy alt-country band to adding ambient shades and slowcore to their music.— David Harris, SPIN, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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These ten compositions depend on lights in darkness, most commonly generated by candles, by the moon, or—as in the most famous painting here, An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump (circa 1767)—by both.— Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
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Outside, flames streaked across the darkness.— Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The theater star also took to the heights, sharing a powerful image of herself standing atop a grassy ridge at dusk.— Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
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Be particularly mindful between dusk and dawn when alligators are most active.— Mark Price April 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Even fewer exist of the black, for sale on their website for $9,500.— Samantha Lee Connect April 17, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
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The monitors stayed frozen, showing black.— Ahmed Helal, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Together, these two superb artists make much of Yarris constantly seeking the light, as Yarris searches for a way forward from the blackness of death row.— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
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Together, these two superb artists make much of Yarris constantly seeking the light, as Yarris searches for a way forward from the blackness of Death Row.— Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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