Synonyms of blackened

blackened 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbla-kənd 

as in stained

not clean

the church's blackened ceiling is the result of centuries of candle smoke

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stained
• filthy
• dusty
• black
• muddy
• dirty
• smudged
• nasty
• grimy
• soiled
• dingy
• begrimed
• greasy
• messy
• polluted
• grubby
• grungy
• unclean
• bedraggled
• sordid
• mucky
• sullied
• smutty
• draggled
• besmirched
• foul
• befouled
• uncleanly
• sloppy
• grotty
• contaminated
• littered
• chaotic
• tainted
• bemired
• messed
• cruddy
• confused
• uncleaned
• unwashed
• impure
• insanitary
• sooty
• rumpled
• defiled
• disordered
• cluttered
• unsanitary
• jumbled
• unkempt
• unsterilized
• scruffy
• disheveled
• muddled
• disarranged
• untidy
• slovenly
• unsterile
• shabby
• squalid
• disarrayed
• gunky
• fuliginous
• raunchy
• mussy
• germy
• crocked
• mussed
• scuzzy
• skanky
• collied
• sleazy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stainless
• clean
• spotless
• unsullied
• unstained
• immaculate
• pure
• clear
• cleaned
• cleanly
• unsoiled
• ultraclean
• limpid
• spick-and-span
• bleached
• cleansed
• ordered
• neat
• combed
• tidy
• whitened
• groomed
• orderly
• shiny
• untouched
• purified
• sparkling
• bright
• perfect
• flawless
• unblemished
• unspotted
• untainted
• unpolluted
• wholesome
• virgin
• undefiled
• taintless

blackened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of blacken

1

as in dirtied

to make dirty

blackened the towels with their dirty hands

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stained
• dirtied
• smudged
• grimed
• sullied
• soiled
• begrimed
• besmirched
• messed
• muddied
• smirched
• daubed
• befouled
• mucked
• mired
• polluted
• contaminated
• distained
• tainted
• bemired
• fouled
• discolored
• gaumed
• defiled
• draggled
• disordered
• jumbled
• disheveled
• disarranged
• disarrayed
• muddled
• confused
• crocked
• collied

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cleaned
• cleansed
• purified
• purged
• wiped
• brushed
• swept
• decontaminated
• washed
• scrubbed
• disinfected
• rinsed
• dusted
• sanitized
• scoured
• brightened
• renewed
• mopped
• laundered
• freshened
• straightened (up)
• deodorized
• dry-cleaned
• spruced (up)
• tidied (up)

2

as in smeared

to make untrue and harmful statements about

the politician maliciously blackened his opponent's reputation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• smeared
• libeled
• disgraced
• humiliated
• maligned
• slandered
• vilified
• discredited
• defamed
• calumniated
• shamed
• aspersed
• traduced
• dishonored
• denigrated
• disparaged
• detracted
• degraded
• belittled
• humbled
• disdained
• debased
• scorned
• abased

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• honored
• exalted
• praised
• glorified
• applauded
• commended
• respected
• acclaimed
• admired
• regarded
• esteemed
• revered
• worshipped
• adored
• venerated

3

as in darkened

to make dark, dim, or indistinct

thick smoke from the forest fires blackened the sky for many miles

Synonyms & Similar Words

• darkened
• obscured
• blurred
• clouded
• shrouded
• overshadowed
• dimmed
• shadowed
• fogged
• hazed
• misted
• beclouded
• overcast
• bedimmed
• shaded
• overclouded
• concealed
• covered
• bleared
• obliterated
• dislimned
• hid
• eclipsed
• fuzzed (up)
• befogged
• masked
• blotted out
• cloaked
• adumbrated
• camouflaged
• veiled
• screened
• curtained
• disguised

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• illuminated
• brightened
• lit (up)
• exposed
• lightened
• revealed
• uncovered
• illumined
• unveiled

4

as in faded

to grow dark

the auditorium blackened suddenly, and a spotlighted performer appeared alone on stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• darkened
• faded
• closed in
• blacked out
• dusked
• dimmed
• waned
• gloomed
• lowered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lit
• brightened
• lightened
• dawned
• shone
• glowed
• radiated
• beamed

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of blackened

Adjective

The land, unfenced, abuts a bald blackened hillside that must be public land. — Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025

Verb

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

Elephant Fire The Elephant Fire, burning since July 11 in the Tahoe National Forest, has blackened nearly 14,000 acres in Sierra, Plumas and Lassen counties, and is 92% contained. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026

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

In late fall, after frost has blackened the plants, very carefully dig up the tubers. — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026

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