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
Advertisement In this case, about 3.5% of the moon appeared darkened by the Earth’s umbra, a term that describes the darkest segment of the Earth’s shadow.
—
Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2024
When that occurs, the umbra – the darkest portion of the Earth's shadow – covers only small fraction of the moon's surface.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024
In a total lunar eclipse, the entire Moon passes through Earth's umbra, the darker, inner part of its shadow.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 11 Sep. 2024
When the moon moves into the inner part of Earth's shadow, or umbra, some of the sunlight entering Earth's skies scatters before reaching the moon's surface, according to NASA.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for umbra 
Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2024
When that occurs, the umbra – the darkest portion of the Earth's shadow – covers only small fraction of the moon's surface.
—Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024
In a total lunar eclipse, the entire Moon passes through Earth's umbra, the darker, inner part of its shadow.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 11 Sep. 2024
When the moon moves into the inner part of Earth's shadow, or umbra, some of the sunlight entering Earth's skies scatters before reaching the moon's surface, according to NASA.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for umbra
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umbra
Noun
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Her brim, tilted low, cast a thick shadow over her eyes, shielding her from the view of millions of Americans who were lying in wait for some kind of reaction.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
20 Jan. 2025
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That’s saying something considering that when Biden took office in January 2021 the economy was still under the shadow of Covid, with many folks choosing to spend the holiday season in late 2020 away from friends and family because of the spread of the omicron variant.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
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How To Find Mars In The Night Sky Go outside after dark and look to the east.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
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But batteries that bank power for after dark have changed the equation.—
Sammy Roth,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The company’s Ice Breaker 2.0 dyeing technology is paying off as well, resulting in vibrant, laser-friendly shades with minimal environmental impact.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
22 Jan. 2025
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The doll sports a black faux leather ensemble, dark shades, and her signature swooped hairstyle.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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That could still mean 24-72 hours of darkness though, so just make sure you’re prepared.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
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Brief periods of darkness can also happen when the sun is totally obscured during total solar eclipses, which occur rarely in any particular spot on Earth.—
Ailsa Harvey,
Space.com,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Piccadilly Circus is seen at dusk, on 7th January 2025, in London, England.—
Jenni Reid,
CNBC,
17 Jan. 2025
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This bucket-list worthy kayaking experience starts at dusk and will take participants through the iconic Flowerpot Rock formations.—
Sandra MacGregor,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 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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Instead of gentle concentric circles, gleaming finishes, or a mesmerizing light show, the ProArt P16 meets us with inky blackness.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
13 Oct. 2024
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The Mid-Credits Scene — the King in Black The central plot of The Last Dance revolves around Venom trying to stop the creator of the symbiotes, Knull (Andy Serkis), from escaping his celestial prison and returning all of existence to the Void, the blackness that predates the universe.—
Richard Newby,
Vulture,
25 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Back to Moravia — and his gift for physical description: The courtyard lay deserted in the bleak, subdued twilight of a sultry day.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
13 Jan. 2025
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Sunrise scene of Seoul downtown city skyline, Aerial view of N Seoul Tower at Namsan Park in twilight sky in morning.—
Amala Balakrishner,Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
13 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Umbra.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umbra. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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