dark 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdärk How to pronounce dark (audio)
Definition of darknext
1
as in dim
being without light or without much light a dark alley that most people wisely avoided

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2
as in black
not having a light complexion he was tall, dark, and handsome

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3
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer her mind was filled with dark thoughts until the results of the medical test came back as negative

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4
as in silent
given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge the actor was always quite dark about his life before his arrival in Hollywood

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5
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning the superhero was not daunted by the villain's dark threats

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6
as in ignorant
lacking in education or the knowledge gained from books is known as a dark period in European history when people lived in ignorance, fear, and want

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7
as in evil
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable dark deeds that resulted in the Russian czar being known to history as Ivan the Terrible

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dark

2 of 2

noun

1
as in shadows
a time or place of little or no light I have a bad habit of running into tables in the dark

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2
as in night
the time from sunset to sunrise when there is no visible sunlight we were going to wait until dark to go trick-or-treating

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word dark different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of dark are ambiguous, cryptic, enigmatic, equivocal, obscure, and vague. While all these words mean "not clearly understandable," dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.

muttered dark hints of revenge

In what contexts can ambiguous take the place of dark?

The meanings of ambiguous and dark largely overlap; however, ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.

an ambiguous directive

When might cryptic be a better fit than dark?

While in some cases nearly identical to dark, cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.

cryptic hints of hidden treasure

When could enigmatic be used to replace dark?

The synonyms enigmatic and dark are sometimes interchangeable, but enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality.

enigmatic occult writings

When can equivocal be used instead of dark?

The words equivocal and dark are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading.

moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

When is obscure a more appropriate choice than dark?

In some situations, the words obscure and dark are roughly equivalent. However, obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.

obscure poems

When would vague be a good substitute for dark?

While the synonyms vague and dark are close in meaning, vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration.

a vague sense of obligation

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 dark
Adjective
But there’s a dark side to this turn against the suddenly middle-aged, passé millennial generation. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025 One was a Crown Royal bottle and another was a bottle with dark liquid. —Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
Visit after dark to admire the city lights reflecting off the waves and pick up something unique, like a one-of-a-kind hat or jewelry made with sea glass. —Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2025 On a dark, drizzling January evening in 2014, Alyssa Gehman headed out to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state to catch the midnight tide. —JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dark
  1. dim
  2. black
  3. bleak
  4. silent
  5. ambiguous
  6. ignorant
  7. evil
  8. shadows
Adjective
  • If there’s dim to moderate light, the unlit display can be a bit hard to see.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The prospects for any significant reckoning over agents’ conduct, even against citizens, are dim.
    — Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025
Definition of dim
Adjective
  • According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Eastern black rhinos are critically endangered.
    — Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Then stylist Jared Eng looked past Paris, and to Madrid, to pull a black cut-out Carolina Herrera gown for Joey King.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2025
Definition of black
Adjective
  • These are bleak times, and as fans continue to mourn the club’s decline, West Ham’s hierarchy have shifted their focus to the January transfer window.
    — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • As with many of Burton's best films, the real magic is the nuggets of human profundity hidden within the bleak imagery and whimsical comedy.
    — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • That conversational access to the fine print not only saves keystrokes, but also reduces miscommunication, which is often the silent culprit behind change-order disputes and blown budgets.
    — Jon Stojan, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
  • And the whole class is just silent.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of silent
Adjective
  • According to the institute statement, which remained ambiguous about the mosquito’s permanence, the insect probably arrived via freight transportation.
    — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Perhaps its message is meant to be deliberately ambiguous—or maybe there’s no message at all.
    — Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • But there are also Black folks who are ignorant of this.
    — Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The pilot has moments both sweet and funny, and sets up the possibility of romance amongst the characters, as well as further high jinks from a rotating cast of license seekers and citizens ignorant of the requirements for a Real ID.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
Definition of ignorant
Adjective
  • They are known as witches or evil shamans with the ability to shape-shift into animals or other people and are both feared and respected.
    — Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Also nominated, Pohl starred as evil Esme Prince on General Hospital.
    — Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Definition of evil
Noun
  • Another young man, presumably X2, sits in the shadows nearby.
    — David Kushner, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
  • If built, the tower threatens to cast his 1865 house largely in the shadows for months at a time.
    — John Aguilar, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Definition of shadows

Phrases Containing dark

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daringness
dark
dark age
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Cite this Entry

“Dark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dark. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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