Synonyms of blacken

blacken

verb

ˈbla-kən 

1

as in to stain

to make dirty

blackened the towels with their dirty hands

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stain
• dirty
• besmirch
• sully
• smudge
• soil
• smirch
• muck
• muddy
• befoul
• mess
• daub
• pollute
• grime
• contaminate
• mire
• taint
• gaum
• discolor
• foul
• begrime
• bemire
• distain
• defile
• disarrange
• confuse
• disarray
• muddle
• dishevel
• disorder
• jumble
• draggle
• crock
• colly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clean
• cleanse
• purify
• purge
• wipe
• decontaminate
• wash
• disinfect
• sanitize
• brush
• sweep
• scrub
• rinse
• renew
• brighten
• dust
• scour
• launder
• freshen
• mop
• spruce (up)
• straighten (up)
• deodorize
• dry-clean
• tidy (up)

2

as in to libel

to make untrue and harmful statements about

the politician maliciously blackened his opponent's reputation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• libel
• smear
• humiliate
• vilify
• defame
• malign
• discredit
• slander
• disgrace
• calumniate
• asperse
• denigrate
• traduce
• disparage
• detract
• belittle
• shame
• dishonor
• humble
• degrade
• debase
• disdain
• scorn
• abase

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• honor
• exalt
• glorify
• commend
• applaud
• respect
• praise
• admire
• regard
• esteem
• worship
• adore
• acclaim
• revere
• venerate

3

as in to darken

to make dark, dim, or indistinct

thick smoke from the forest fires blackened the sky for many miles

Synonyms & Similar Words

• darken
• obscure
• blur
• dim
• overshadow
• cloud
• becloud
• mist
• shroud
• shadow
• overcast
• haze
• fog
• conceal
• bedim
• blear
• hide
• obliterate
• overcloud
• befog
• shade
• cover
• dislimn
• fuzz (up)
• eclipse
• mask
• blot out
• screen
• curtain
• adumbrate
• veil
• cloak
• camouflage
• disguise

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lighten
• brighten
• illuminate
• light (up)
• reveal
• expose
• illumine
• uncover
• unveil

4

as in to dusk

to grow dark

the auditorium blackened suddenly, and a spotlighted performer appeared alone on stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• darken
• dusk
• fade
• dim
• close in
• wane
• black out
• gloom
• lower

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• light
• lighten
• brighten
• shine
• glow
• beam
• dawn
• radiate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of blacken

Footage shot later at daybreak showed the house gutted, charred and blackened from the inside out. — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026

After the first killing frost blackens their foliage, wait for a dry day and gently lift them with a garden fork. — Pam Rosendal, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2026

Lines at Russian gas stations, crippled refineries, and images of burning oil depots blackening the sky lent credence to the narrative, as did blackouts and fuel shortages in Crimea. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 2026

There’s more than just blackening bananas; electrodes embedded in the fruit transmit electrical signals into sound and light tones that constantly shift. — Jane Wooldridge, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026