1
as in to stain
to make dirty
blackened the towels with their dirty hands
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to libel
to make untrue and harmful statements about
the politician maliciously blackened his opponent's reputation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blacken
Leaves and buds that are bitten by frost will blacken and shrivel, sometimes all over the plant.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 July 2025
Let skins blister and blacken, while turning peppers with tongs, until they’re evenly blackened, about 5 minutes.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 22 July 2025
Cal Fire said the Oakdale Fire blackened 78 acres before crews halted forward progress Tuesday night.
—Sacbee.com, 3 July 2025
The space’s original flooring is also intact; upon removing the carpet 16 years ago, Gretchen and John discovered the wide plank floors that had been blackened with creosote.
—Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for blacken
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 July 2025
Let skins blister and blacken, while turning peppers with tongs, until they’re evenly blackened, about 5 minutes.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 22 July 2025
Cal Fire said the Oakdale Fire blackened 78 acres before crews halted forward progress Tuesday night.
—Sacbee.com, 3 July 2025
The space’s original flooring is also intact; upon removing the carpet 16 years ago, Gretchen and John discovered the wide plank floors that had been blackened with creosote.
—Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for blacken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blacken
Verb
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Block after block across metropolitan Milwaukee, piles of soaked carpets, waterlogged appliances and furniture stained beyond recognition now slump in front yards and along sidewalks.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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The color is also anti-fade, and won’t stain, shrink, or wrinkle.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In 2022, Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff, who presided over both trials, decided The Times was not liable for defamation while jurors were deliberating, that the error amounted to unfortunate editorializing but not libel.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2025
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As a new, inexpensive Chevrolet appeared in 1927 and The Dearborn Independent was sued for libeling a number of Jewish businessmen, Ford threw in the towel and apologized.—
George Pendle,
airmail.news,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Smoke from wildfires will travel thousands of miles to darken our skies and choke our lungs.—
Madhukar Pai,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Also, keep in mind that aniline leather has a tendency to darken slightly over time.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As more success suddenly comes his way, McKinstry has remained the same, friendly and chuckling at his locker, dirtying his jersey and pestering opponents on the field.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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Some were prosthetic buttocks, but others were people’s own buttocks, but in various states, like dirtied down and with partial covering.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
1 July 2025
Verb
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The trash room’s walls had blood smeared on it, and a pool formed near the chute, according to the report.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
21 July 2025
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On Thursday, his lawyers filed a claim for $20 million in damages against the Trump administration, alleging Khalil was falsely imprisoned, maliciously prosecuted and smeared as an antisemite as the government sought to deport him over his prominent role in campus protests.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 July 2025
Verb
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This thinking — amplified by extensive 24/7 hybrid media coverage and heated venture capital echo chambers — obscures a more nuanced transformation occurring at the periphery of traditional power structures.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Dujardin's lawsuit contends operators have had this trouble since 2007, as well as problems with long lagging footage, freezing frame, blurriness and shadows obscuring pedestrians.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Confederate flag was carried through its premises, the flag of an old attack on this country and its (often jettisoned and besmirched but still significant) ideals of equality.—
Rebecca Solnit
January 9,
Literary Hub,
9 Jan. 2021
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Their reputations were besmirched.—
The Editors,
National Review,
17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Luthor’s ultimate defeat is an unmasking that humiliates him by confirming his own worst fears about himself.—
Matt Zoller Seitz,
Vulture,
16 July 2025
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Coach Ruben Amorim publicly humiliated him before a loan move to Aston Villa for the final half of the campaign.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blacken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blacken. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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