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

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
The movies embody the spirit and influence of Caravaggio’s work contrasting light and dark, rather than biographical films about the artist, Morong said. —Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2026 In the hours after splashdown, space wonks noticed a large, unusual-looking white patch on the otherwise dark and scorched heat shield. —Denise Chow, NBC news, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
The most precise atomic clocks trap atoms in an optical lattice, a pattern of light and dark formed by intersecting lasers. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026 New Haven’s Crown Street corridor flips the switch after dark, with Yale energy pouring into a compact downtown stacked with Irish pubs, dance spots, and late-night pizza joints that double as unofficial after-parties. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026 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
  • The Sony cameras have a leg up in dim light and blur backgrounds more readily, but aren't quite as useful as the ZS300 for a trip to the zoo or for snapping pictures of squirrels in your backyard.
    — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Swapping your bedside lighting also makes a difference — dim red lights are less likely to shift circadian rhythms than white or blue light and make a better nighttime alternative.
    — Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2026
Definition of dim
Adjective
  • Six weeks later, the orange and black have snapped a five-season postseason drought.
    — Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Liu was wearing a black blazer, starched white culottes, and black oxfords.
    — Emilia Petrarca, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Definition of black
Adjective
  • That’s partly because their bleak ending feels like a foregone conclusion from the start, even as Levinson’s frequently funny script crackles with comic depravity.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
  • While the subject matter is bleak, Almodóvar balances the darkness with a tenderness and sensitivity that comes from a career of exploring women's lives at their most intimate.
    — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • Republican members also remained silent, with the exception of Chairman Charlie Geren of Fort Worth, who called for the vote.
    — Jack Fink, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Behind bars, Jeffs ordered his followers to no longer marry or have children and later became increasingly silent, paving the way for Bateman to assert himself as his heir.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Definition of silent
Adjective
  • Obliterated it, which is not an ambiguous term.
    — Brian Dakss, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Samuel Dic Sum Lai, a PhD candidate at the University of London, has dedicated his studies to chronicling the ambiguous history and culture of these restaurants.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • Excluding industry from the room doesn’t make for ‘independent’ policy but sets the table for ignorant policy.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Being ignorant but rational, the proto-citizens will necessarily settle on what Rawls called the Two Principles of Justice.
    — George G. Szpiro, Big Think, 9 Apr. 2026
Definition of ignorant
Adjective
  • Besides, anyone who doesn’t agree with the left is said to be evil, so anything progressives do to destroy, or at least restrain that evil, is justified.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Fifteen years later, her sister Merry faces her family’s dark past with a journalist uncovering the nature of the evil force that undid them.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026
Definition of evil
Noun
  • The bright lights at CPKC Stadium can cast shadows inside their bedroom when there is a night game.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Most, like Mbugua’s, unfold mostly in the shadows.
    — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
Definition of shadows

Phrases Containing dark

Browse Nearby Words

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 18 Apr. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of dark for Spanish Speakers

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