blackened 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbla-kənd How to pronounce blackened (audio)
Definition of blackenednext
as in stained
not clean the church's blackened ceiling is the result of centuries of candle smoke

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blackened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of blacken
1
as in dirtied
to make dirty blackened the towels with their dirty hands

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2
as in smeared
to make untrue and harmful statements about the politician maliciously blackened his opponent's reputation

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3
as in darkened
to make dark, dim, or indistinct thick smoke from the forest fires blackened the sky for many miles

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4
as in faded
to grow dark the auditorium blackened suddenly, and a spotlighted performer appeared alone on stage

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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 blackened
Adjective
The land, unfenced, abuts a bald blackened hillside that must be public land. — Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
The kernels should develop dark golden spots without becoming overly blackened. — Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 One of the daily specials, a creamy risotto accented with a bold red pepper puree and blackened shrimp, caught my eye and satisfied my cravings for something comforting. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026 Meanwhile, the Iron fire, about 70 miles southwest of Salt Lake City, blackened 63 square miles by Friday and was 26% contained, authorities said. — Kathy McCormack, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 The Iron Fire in Utah’s Juab County was first detected Saturday and had blackened 34 square miles (87 square kilometers), authorities said. — ABC News, 21 June 2026 The shrimp basket at B&J's Steak and Seafood includes a half pound of shrimp fried, grilled, blackened or boiled. — Bill Dawers - For The Ajc, AJC.com, 2 June 2026 Look for blackened, dim, and flickering bulbs during your inspections and replace those as well. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 June 2026 The wrap varieties are differentiated by the sauce, which comes in classic, spicy, or blackened Ranch flavors. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026 Inside, boards blackened by smoke and sweat, the air sweet with cane and forgetting. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackened
  1. stained
  2. dirtied
  3. smeared
  4. darkened
  5. filthy
  6. smudged
  7. disgraced
  8. obscured
Adjective
  • Everything from the casting (male dancers, internet faves, and very few actual models) to the scenery (a 191-year-old venue with plenty of stained glass) to the ambiance (candlelit, with lots of bows and florals) embodied the brand's quintessential mix of romance, community, and nostalgia.
    — Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 26 June 2026
  • Spread the mixture on the stained area; leave it for 15 minutes before wiping it away with a microfiber cloth.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 June 2026
Definition of stained
Verb
  • When stormwater dirtied by road runoff, failing septic tanks and fertilizer sullied crystal-clear rivers and lakes, and nobody cared.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Garments can be dirtied again by the elements if air-dried outside.
    — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Dec. 2025
Definition of dirtied
Verb
  • The restaurant sources its birotes from Duran’s to make the open-face, bean and cheese-smeared breakfast sandwiches popular throughout Mexico.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • By the end of the debate, about 150 men dressed in Indigenous costumes, their faces smeared with soot, stormed to a nearby wharf and dumped a literal boatload of tea into the water.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 26 June 2026
Definition of smeared
Verb
  • Then as skies darkened, fireworks began lighting the skies everywhere.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2026
  • Its most dramatic attack occurred last week, when hundreds of drones overwhelmed Moscow’s air defenses and hit refineries and storage tanks, sending up black plumes of smoke that darkened the sky.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2026
Definition of darkened
Adjective
  • From shabby apartments to art experiments to filthy needles—with echoes of Patti Smith and Rebecca Makkai—Adler conjures an era of sorrow borne by too many, too young.
    — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026
  • A week after Venezuela’s twin earthquakes, doctors warn untreated wounds, filthy shelters and scarce supplies are fueling a looming wave of infections that could claim more lives.
    — Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of filthy
Verb
  • Loose waves and smudged eye makeup, sharpened with pink at the inner corners, kept the effect closer to one of her stage looks.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 July 2026
  • The school's statement said the receipt supporting the claim of the fake cigars had the time and date smudged out.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
Definition of smudged
Verb
  • Getty Images Six years after disgraced former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn escaped Japan by private jet, hidden inside an audio equipment case, few expected his name to dominate another Nissan shareholders' meeting.
    — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • Among the guests were Prince William and Kate Middleton, as well as the daughters of Sarah Ferguson and disgraced ex-Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 8 June 2026
Definition of disgraced
Verb
  • Her name was obscured in the city records, but the Bee was able to determine her identity through a search of property records.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
  • Even once the storms abated, a low-slung quilt of fog obscured the Navy Pier fireworks show later that evening.
    — Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of obscured

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blackened
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Cite this Entry

“Blackened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackened. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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