1
2
as in dark
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the Friday of the stock market crash was indeed a black day for the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in darkened
being without light or without much light
on a black night such as this, the imagination runs wild
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in blackened
not clean
after mopping the floor, the water in the bucket was black
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in blackness
a time or place of little or no light
we had to find our way on back roads in the black of night
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 black
Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
And a piece of the blade flew like right to where that guy is walking to the black car.
—Steve Maugeri, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
The fuchsia tone is, of course, the most attention-demanding, and black is always a safe bet—especially for more formal events.
—Alexandra Malmed, InStyle, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for black
Adjective
The actress accessorized with black pumps, a Rolex watch and Stéfére jewelry.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
And a piece of the blade flew like right to where that guy is walking to the black car.
—Steve Maugeri, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Noun
As the end nears, shady characters start to walk into the diner and Tony appears to eye someone in particular right as the screen cuts to black, concluding the iconic series.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
The fuchsia tone is, of course, the most attention-demanding, and black is always a safe bet—especially for more formal events.
—Alexandra Malmed, InStyle, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for black
Recent Examples of Synonyms for black
Adjective
-
The deluxe and premier suites are striking and distinctly futuristic, with smooth lines and walnut and ebony wood paneling bringing a yacht-like feel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
-
Told with exacting restraint yet as layered as the lacquer on an ebony Biedermeier console, this forms a loose triptych with Pawlikowski’s last two features, Ida and Cold War, both of which were set at least partly behind the Iron Curtain.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
But the true story behind it is a dark, sad and overall pretty confusing one.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Trudeau embraced the Southern California vibes and wore a green T-shirt with black shorts and a pair of dark sunglasses.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
16 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
-
From individual missions to tours aboard the ISS, video games have featured surprisingly often in the inky blackness of space.—
William Worrall,
Space.com,
30 May 2026
-
Lighting the mood Production design includes dramatic lighting effects, intensely bright (oof, that spotlight) to sudden pitch-blackness.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The show focuses on various themes, among them, Revolutionary Textiles, which documents the Homespun movement that arose to boycott British imports; Across the Atlantic centers on continental influences on Colonial fashion; The Business of Sea chronicles Sag Harbor’s maritime past.—
Catherine Sabino,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
With the memory of the January protests still raw, calls have been circulating among some Iranian Americans to formally protest and boycott the occasion.—
Shirvin Zeinalzadeh,
The Conversation,
11 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
-
The body was inside a bag in the trunk of a gray vehicle, which was opened by police due to its pungent smell.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
-
Simply pair them with a basic T-shirt (white, gray, or navy blue will do) or a classic button-down shirt for a perfect outfit.—
Mayte Salido,
Glamour,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Black.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
