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
Totality occurs at 2:26 a.m. EDT when the entire moon is under the umbra.
—
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025
Fourth contact is when the leading edge passes out of the umbra and becomes easily visible again, ending totality, and fifth contact is when the entire moon is fully out of the umbra.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2025
In a total eclipse, the moon passes through Earth’s umbra, the darkest part of our planet’s shadow.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025
Totality, the point at which the moon enters the Earth’s inner shadow (umbra) and begins a visual transformation, will occur between 2:26 a.m. and 3:31 a.m. EDT.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025
Fourth contact is when the leading edge passes out of the umbra and becomes easily visible again, ending totality, and fifth contact is when the entire moon is fully out of the umbra.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2025
In a total eclipse, the moon passes through Earth’s umbra, the darkest part of our planet’s shadow.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025
Totality, the point at which the moon enters the Earth’s inner shadow (umbra) and begins a visual transformation, will occur between 2:26 a.m. and 3:31 a.m. EDT.
—Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
Noun
-
The final scene shifts to the three Fates, also known as the Kindly Ones, knitting in the shadows.—
Aya Al-Hakim,
People.com,
7 July 2025
-
The op-ed made the incredible claim that ratings agencies were being swayed by public utilities companies, meanwhile the PURA chair operates in the shadows.—
Timothy M. Herbst,
Hartford Courant,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
So the show and now the play is kind of like, maybe a dark PG-13, like an 80s PG-13.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
1 July 2025
-
Though most body mists tend to be perfect for day wear, this could easily work after dark too.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
The wash shown here, dubbed New Heyburn, looks a lot like the shade Kaling has been reaching for — but there are 30 colors to choose from if this blue hue isn’t your speed.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
People.com,
9 July 2025
-
Butter-yellow-stripe nails Butter yellow is still an inescapable shade this summer, so naturally butter-yellow stripes are in too.—
Dominic Cadogan,
Glamour,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Coast Guard helicopters and planes are assisting to ensure search operations can continue even in darkness.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
-
Down the road, Kulak and her family stood alone in Chimney Rock Village, scraping, painting and rebuilding as nightfall cast the town into darkness.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
The Roman Forum at dusk—that was the monumental setting for Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda show tonight.—
Nicole Phelps,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
-
Today, almost all lighthouses are automated, meaning their lights run on timers, or in the case of Hillsboro, a photo cell that goes on at dusk and turns off at dawn.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Take your pick from black to mocha to crisp, winter white.—
Taylor Jean Stephan,
Peoplemag,
31 Jan. 2023
-
Flaunt this fun, floral style, or opt for their best-selling classic black.—
Meg Donohue,
Town & Country,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
The cliffs loomed up terribly out of the blackness.—
Nicole Krauss,
The Atlantic,
6 July 2025
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Four months’ worth of rain fell in just hours as water-laden thunderstorms stalled in place, giving rise to a wall of water that surged down the river in the blackness of night, limiting the number of people who could get the warnings and move to higher ground.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
6 July 2025
Noun
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All of the shooting had to happen at twilight, the time of day when Crewdson works.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
9 July 2025
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There were issues, however—at 12 years old, the dog was in his twilight years, and had medical issues including a severe ear infection.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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