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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Recent Examples of umbra
Earth's shadow in space — which is always there — has two parts: a fuzzy outer penumbra and a deep, dark umbra.
—
Jamie Carter, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
When the moon moves into the inner part of the Earth’s shadow, or the umbra, some of the sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere, lighting the moon dimly, according to NASA.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2025
In a total lunar eclipse, the entire moon moves into the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, called the umbra, completely blocking it from the sun, according to NASA.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
However, the totality phase—when the moon is fully within Earth's umbra and appears reddish—typically lasts between 30 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes, depending on how close the moon is to the Earth at the time.
—Jess Thomson, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Jamie Carter, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
When the moon moves into the inner part of the Earth’s shadow, or the umbra, some of the sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere, lighting the moon dimly, according to NASA.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2025
In a total lunar eclipse, the entire moon moves into the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, called the umbra, completely blocking it from the sun, according to NASA.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
However, the totality phase—when the moon is fully within Earth's umbra and appears reddish—typically lasts between 30 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes, depending on how close the moon is to the Earth at the time.
—Jess Thomson, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
Noun
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The friend zone trope suggests that the lovelorn are trapped in the cold shadow of platonic feelings.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2025
-
Those unmentioned months cast a dark shadow upon the rich descriptions of his life as a chemist before and after the war.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 June 2025
Noun
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Also, swimming alone after dark can end in tragedy.—
Deanese Williams-Harris,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2025
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Maryland Stadium Authority taking on more fiscal responsibility at Pimlico Race Course ‘Hands tied’: Athletes left in dark as NCAA settlement leaves murky future for non-revenue sports Justify doing it in 2018 to give the sport a pair of Triple Crown champions in four years quieted that talk.—
Stephen Whyno,
Baltimore Sun,
7 May 2025
Noun
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Grab your sunscreen, shades, and a slice of avocado toast to get ready for the new bombshells that will take over the villa in Fiji in search of love.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
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Lights with a lower temperature tend to be a warmer, more yellow shade that may look dim in dark garages.—
Molly Blanco,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2025
Noun
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Coming from Orange, maybe the darkness of Handmaid’s didn’t shock you as much.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2025
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New footage captured by wildcat conservation organization Panthera, in collaboration with Senegal's National Parks Directorate (DPN), revealed the moment a male elephant called Ousmane moved through the darkness.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
Noun
-
Deer typically are most active and browsing at dusk and right before sunrise, says Mengak.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
7 June 2025
-
Smoke from Canadian wildfires infiltrated the Detroit sky and lingered as dusk descended on Comerica Park.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
Noun
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Flaunt this fun, floral style, or opt for their best-selling classic black.—
Meg Donohue,
Town & Country,
31 Jan. 2023
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Take your pick from black to mocha to crisp, winter white.—
Taylor Jean Stephan,
Peoplemag,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
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The 40-second clip shows the Kuiper satellites separating from their launch vehicle in the blackness of space following liftoff Monday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
3 May 2025
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After a surge of spring storms, Mr. Jacobs descended into freezing blackness for the third time in late February.—
Sruthi Gurudev Jules Jacobs,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But Suzuki’s hit hung in the sky like a disco ball, slowly drifting deeper into the hazy twilight.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
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Designed to enhance the beauty of the Virgin Gorda coastline, this sleek feature is perfect for soaking in the sun all throughout the day, while twilight brings the opportunity to catch a stellar sunset.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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