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

Large sections of the ceiling were destroyed, blackened and charred, while the floor and tables below, some still with beer bottles on them, were blanketed in ash and debris. — ABC News, 13 July 2026

Pictures shared on social media after the fire was extinguished showed chairs and tables inside the pub completely charred and blackened, with parts of the ceiling peeling off. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 July 2026

Check monthly for signs of shriveling (add moisture), blackening or softening (discard). — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026

Many of them, like Tubbs, were refugee Midwesterners, sick of parching droughts and devouring plagues of locusts, the insects descending in buzzing clouds thick enough to blacken the noonday sun. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026