blackened 1 of 2

Definition of blackenednext

blackened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of blacken
1
2
3
4
as in faded
to grow dark the auditorium blackened suddenly, and a spotlighted performer appeared alone on stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Menu highlights there include sesame guava toast, conch salad, and a blackened shrimp club wrap. Erinne Magee, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2022 His blackened execution pyre stands in a barren field, a leitmotif driven like a stake through the heart of the film. Elle Carroll, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2021
Verb
The Sepulveda Basin has seen numerous brush fires in recent years, with the most being the Burbank fire in August 2024, which blackened 75 acres of almost entirely invasive, nonnative plants. Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026 The venerable monk was draped in his maroon and saffron robe, his bare feet looking ashen with dust, a few of his toes still blackened from his arduous walk. Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for blackened
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blackened
Adjective
  • Inside, there are 13 stained glass windows alternating in red or blue color with white limestone walls in between.
    Nikki DeMentri, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Firefighters made a hole with an axe just above the entrance to let the thick black smoke flow out and to avoid breaking the eight stained glass windows along the sides of the structure.
    Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
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
Verb
  • On one visit, the pizza was smeared in a creamy, garlicky white sauce with a smattering of roasted broccoli.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Clearly, the presence of sugar was no deterrent, as the dog appeared to have enthusiastically investigated the fallen bag, emerging with powdered evidence smeared across his face.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Its flowers bloomed white in the spring, and its green summer leaves darkened to a reddish-purple hue in the fall.
    John Tufts, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Glossy, blonde waves perfectly frame her face, and her blue eyes, now darkened, smolder at the camera.
    Brooke Migdon, PEOPLE, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Space Marines are attempting to reclaim Kronus from the filthy xenos on the planet, leading a heroic charge into a massive Ork army as the Necrons rise again.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The woman was taken to the Fort Worth jail, by then best described as an old, filthy, rat-infested hole in the basement of city hall.
    Kevin Foster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Meanwhile, at the Milan Fashion Week show, the star embraced an edgy aesthetic with a messy low ponytail and smudged black eyeliner with smoky navy eyeshadow.
    Lara Walsh, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Then move on to large appliance fronts—specifically, those stainless steel fridges and ovens that are easily smudged.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Conley noted that the car was drifting in its lane and had a license plate obscured.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Stay at least 200 feet behind any working plow to make sure your visibility isn't obscured.
    Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • It's typically utilized on things like hinges, locks, gears and machinery, in dusty environments where traditional lubricants would attract debris.
    Ben Coxworth March 27, New Atlas, 27 Mar. 2026
  • On this gravelly, dusty, single lane, Bob Markle applied a pursuit trick that wardens learn early.
    Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blackened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blackened. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on blackened

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster