umbra

noun

ˈəm-brə How to pronounce umbra (audio)
Definition of umbranext
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 Because the moon — about 2,159 miles (3,475 kilometers) in diameter — is much smaller than Earth, its darkest central shadow, known as the umbra, is only a few hundred kilometers wide. — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 For a few fleeting minutes, observers inside the moon’s dark central shadow — the umbra — will see the sun completely covered, revealing the spectacular solar corona and plunging landscapes into an eerie twilight. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026 The full eclipse, or totality, begins when the moon moves completely into the umbra, turning its usually white surface a dim reddish-orange. — Stefanie Waldek, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026 The part of the moon inside the umbra appears very dark. — Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
  1. shadows
  2. shadow
  3. dark
  4. shade
  5. darkness
  6. dusk
  7. black
  8. blackness
Noun
  • Ivan’s room feels practically airless, his face obscured in shadows, or captured in hazy side profiles, as Anica’s bright, concerned gaze holds the frame’s focus.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
  • While looking at the shadows, Crimmins allegedly maneuvered the grapple so that its shadow appeared to grab Lynch’s shadow.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of shadows
Noun
  • Why not try to capture the moon using a DSLR camera and a telephoto lens when the Harvest Moon rises and in the weeks that follow to track how the shifting shadows alter its appearance?
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Larger backlight zones can allow light to spill into darker parts of the image, making blacks appear gray and reducing detail in shadows.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of shadow
Noun
  • For a taste of the Mediterranean, Beach Rogue, with its after-dark DJ and near-promise of shark sightings, is the spot to book.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Search operations were scheduled to conclude in the mid-evening Saturday, so all personnel could leave the field before dark, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of dark
Noun
  • One of our favorite newcomers is Saie, which has just launched an edit of SuperSuede eye shadows in 11 delicious individual autumnal shades.
    — Elle Turner, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There are two lounge chairs inside and two more on the private deck, with a heated infinity pool and a circular daybed, tucked beneath the awning for shade.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of shade
Noun
  • Superstitious Romans imagined demons lurking in the darkness under the toilet seats.
    — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Overnight from Thursday to Friday, the moon will pass into the shadow of the Earth sending part of the world into total darkness.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of darkness
Noun
  • One Tuesday at dusk, children played around the monument while adults read the plaques on the June Bug’s wings that reflect the major milestones of a life of entrepreneurship and daring.
    — Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Stop at Height of Land for a wide-angle view of Mooselookmeguntic Lake surrounded by mountains, then watch for moose along quieter roads around dawn and dusk.
    — Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of dusk
Noun
  • Then a mysterious woman dressed in black simply appears in the yard—and begins moving closer to the house.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • This style is available in 14 colors, including a Holmes-like brown, classic black, and rich burgundy.
    — Neha Tandon, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of black
Noun
  • Totality was extraordinary, with a circle of blackness in the sky.
    — Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Experts say that the biggest challenge at that extreme level of blackness is actually measuring it.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 June 2026
Definition of blackness

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ululating
umbra
umbrage
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Cite this Entry

“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on umbra

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about umbra

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