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
Sinners’ very own vampire Jack O'Connell went in character with dark sunglasses and prosthetic fangs on the red carpet, perhaps still in character as his role as villainous Remmick. —Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026 The story follows a young woman who regains consciousness after three years in a coma, only to be confronted by the apparition of her deceased sister, as their mother’s search for the truth behind the sister’s death gradually uncovers a dark hereditary secret stretching back centuries. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
Jupiter will be high in the south just after dark. —Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026 A little lighting can also go a long way toward adding ambience and safety after dark, from a stylish wall lantern (now 87% off) to shatterproof LED string lights that don’t require a plug-in. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 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
  • Still, while Daines’ seat hardly appeared at great risk for the GOP, a fight for the party’s nomination might have been a costly distraction, diverting money and attention that could go elsewhere as Republican prospects for the midterm election grow increasingly dim.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Pulled straight out of Ireland and dropped onto 14th Street, Grace’s boasts dim candlelight, brotherly bartenders, and a leveled grit that leaves you teetering between kicking off a folk song or dragging from a cigarette from a stranger outside.
    — Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of dim
Adjective
  • During the arrest, Coberg slowly drove past the scene in a black Cadillac Escalade SUV — with the window rolled down — as Iza watched from the back seat.
    — City News Service, Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Adding in signature accessories—including those soft leather black ballet flats from The Row, a ball cap, and an oversized suede tote—we’re itching to recreate this one, asap.
    — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of black
Adjective
  • After a week of bleak, rainy weather, spring breakers finally got a nice beach day on Friday.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
  • In her endeavor to exalt such a bleak world, Zuniga seems to be battling herself.
    — Vrinda Jagota, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • The surveillance video is silent, so it was not immediately known what, if any, words were exchanged between the two prior to the incident.
    — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • After the closure of Grand Theatre, which showed silent films until 1931, the Naper Theatre took its place in downtown Naperville in 1935 and remained in business until 1977.
    — Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of silent
Adjective
  • Was there any thought of ending there and leaving what happens next ambiguous?
    — Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026
  • But the broader dynamic is less ambiguous.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • Having access to knowledge and being able to collectively reflect are rights too precious to surrender to those who prefer us ignorant.
    — Megan Thiele Strong, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
  • What’s going on is that the bank and its customer service reps are ignorant of the law.
    — Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of ignorant
Adjective
  • Watch out evil world, there is an angel of consequence at the gates.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
  • These men were not intrinsically evil; their gifts fueled their overreach while the chorus watched the collapse.
    — Anthony Scaramucci, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of evil
Noun
  • After the crew answers a distress signal and brings an alien life form back with them, their vessel becomes a trap, its corridors narrowing as the creature moves through the shadows.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The love described is classical in tone, so tragically all-consuming and full of shadows that to listen on an iPhone seems almost profane.
    — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 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 23 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dark

Nglish: Translation of dark for Spanish Speakers

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