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

Morawetz also points to baking and air-frying as favorite preparation methods, noting that charring or blackening from direct high-heat grilling can be linked to health risks. — Embry Roberts, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026

Timber Fire Monterey County’s Timber Fire burning near Big Sur has blackened nearly 2,500 acres since its start Monday afternoon and is 5% contained. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026

The old silver and gold shops, their facades blackened by time, were gone. — Lina Sergie Attar, Time, 6 Aug. 2026

It was blackened, charred, the conductor that had drawn the single precise punch of lightning. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 July 2026