1
as in shadows
a time or place of little or no light
strange noises were coming from the wooded umbra beyond our campfire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
Totality occurs at 2:26 a.m. EDT Friday when the entire moon is under the umbra.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
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
Totality occurs at 2:26 a.m. EDT Friday when the entire moon is under the umbra.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
Noun
-
Indeed, from his earliest days, he's had almost something of a shadow career to his more visible one making award-winning narratives.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
21 May 2025
-
Military setbacks on the battlefield, diplomatic isolation, and stronger sanctions—especially those targeting shadow fleets and third-party oil buyers.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Also, swimming alone after dark can end in tragedy.—
Deanese Williams-Harris,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2025
-
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
-
And because blue is a serene choice all around for a bedroom, these denim-centric shades offer a feel that’s timeless and inviting.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
22 May 2025
-
There are fans and even a few misters especially in the ride queues, but some sun shades would be a very welcome addition.—
Mackenzie Schmidt,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
In those moments of darkness and fear, this community — in that room in D.C. and beyond — was the light and humanity.—
Alexis Schwartz,
Baltimore Sun,
31 May 2025
-
The songs explore healing, transformation, and finding beauty in darkness, according to a press release.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
An elusive apex predator was recorded casually strolling among homes at dusk in a California neighborhood, police said.—
Brooke Baitinger,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
-
Lake Austin sits minutes away for a paddle or a dusk cruise.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Flaunt this fun, floral style, or opt for their best-selling classic black.—
Meg Donohue,
Town & Country,
31 Jan. 2023
-
Take your pick from black to mocha to crisp, winter white.—
Taylor Jean Stephan,
Peoplemag,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
And Jupiter, which will be nothing more than a bright, white dot against the bright twilight background, will appear only 5 degrees higher.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
27 May 2025
-
From summer through October, the rooftop transforms into a cinematic wonderland, screening cult classics against the twilight sky.—
Malik Peay,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share