black 1 of 3

Definition of blacknext
1
as in ebony
having the color of soot or coal we adopted a little black kitten

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in swarthy
not having a light complexion a black Irishman, Tyrone Power had the classic looks of a Hollywood leading man

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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black

2 of 3

noun

black

3 of 3

verb

chiefly British

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 black
Adjective
Neon-leaning hues of lime green, pink, orange, and black swirl together for a manicure that's practically made for a tropical getaway—and bold enough to stand out from the beach to the open sea. Amanda Le, InStyle, 29 June 2026 She was last seen wearing an orange/brown sweater and gray sweatpants and carrying a pink/black duffle bag. Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026
Noun
Both types are wingless, black-brown to reddish-brown, and about 1/8 inch long. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 June 2026 Snag it in this hot pink for a standout wardrobe addition, or go more muted with a beige or classic black, all 20 percent off right now. Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for black
Recent Examples of Synonyms for black
Adjective
  • The color palette included ebony, black and oak tones.
    Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 21 June 2026
  • The venerable patriarch is leaning heavily on an ebony cane, and is followed closely by his personal assistant, a bald gnome of a man, armed with a notebook and pencil.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • The top-of-the-line chef’s kitchen sports metallic cabinetry paired with dark marble countertops and backsplashes.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 30 June 2026
  • These include rolled or folded leaf blades, a dark or blue tinge to the foliage, or lingering footprints after walking on the lawn.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • She’s talked up her push to convert darkened streetlights, many of them stripped of their copper wire, to solar power.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
  • In the darkened foyer, Ember contemplated this unassuming bit of paper, momentarily paralyzed by a mixture of dread and excitement stirred together, an overpowering sensation that oozed from the crown of her head, down the length of her body, then hardened, like a soft golden resin becoming solid.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The land, unfenced, abuts a bald blackened hillside that must be public land.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
  • In its time open, fueled by fans of its blackened mahi and buttery lobster rolls, owner Mike Smith has expanded his footprint, moving into a larger stall in the popular food hall — which has allowed for a menu expansion, as well.
    Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2022
Noun
  • Experts say that the biggest challenge at that extreme level of blackness is actually measuring it.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 June 2026
  • Hawthorne mostly succeeds at keeping the blackness in check in this foray into YA.
    John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • The next jolt was Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which spiked energy costs throughout Europe as its leaders tried to boycott their years of dependence on the Kremlin’s gas supplies.
    Alexander Smith, NBC news, 23 June 2026
  • Calls to boycott Japanese products occur frequently whenever old grievances re-emerge.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • Earlier this season, Jackie and Shadow laid four eggs, but two were destroyed during a raven attack.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Earlier this season, the pair laid four eggs, but two were destroyed during a raven attack.
    Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • For an olive or medium complexion, a neutral contour shade (neither cool nor warm) will avoid an ashy gray hue.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 27 June 2026
  • She was found face down in her bedroom, wearing a grey tank top and nude from the waist down.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Black.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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