1
as in to stain
to make dirty
blackened the towels with their dirty hands
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to libel
to make untrue and harmful statements about
the politician maliciously blackened his opponent's reputation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to darken
to make dark, dim, or indistinct
thick smoke from the forest fires blackened the sky for many miles
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blacken
Window panes and brick around doors and windows were blackened.
—
Marc Levy, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
The mains are just as exciting, with dishes like Thai basil yellowfin tuna and blackened redfish on offer.
—Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2025
One time, alone in a lean-to of sticks in Florida, something huge blackened the night nearby.
—Blair Braverman, Outside Online, 17 Apr. 2025
Singh’s face looked swollen and one of his eyes blackened.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blacken
Marc Levy, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
The mains are just as exciting, with dishes like Thai basil yellowfin tuna and blackened redfish on offer.
—Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2025
One time, alone in a lean-to of sticks in Florida, something huge blackened the night nearby.
—Blair Braverman, Outside Online, 17 Apr. 2025
Singh’s face looked swollen and one of his eyes blackened.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for blacken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blacken
Verb
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Outside, people were returning from the aid hub, mostly empty-handed, while empty flour bags stained with blood lay on the ground.—
Mohammad Jahjouh,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
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The doors to several apartments on the first floor remained stained with the victims’ bloody handprints Saturday.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
31 May 2025
Verb
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In 2022, Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff, who presided over both trials, decided The Times was not liable for defamation while jurors were deliberating, that the error amounted to unfortunate editorializing but not libel.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2025
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As a new, inexpensive Chevrolet appeared in 1927 and The Dearborn Independent was sued for libeling a number of Jewish businessmen, Ford threw in the towel and apologized.—
George Pendle,
airmail.news,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Coutts had the white fireplace darkened to black with a Portola lime wash.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2025
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Asked whether Trump had helped his campaign, by darkening the brand of strongman leaders, Albanese told the ABC on Monday that Dutton had done that by himself.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
Verb
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Crème Brûlée Steve Granitz Crème brûlée is like butter blonde, but dirtied up a bit for a browned, warm tint.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
2 May 2025
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He’s come through with timely hits, dirtied his uniform on the bases and made an impact with his arm in the outfield.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Like Mamdani and other politicians that have held a steady opposition to Cuomo, Lander has spent plenty of time smearing the former governor.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
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As if this dramatic moment was not enough, ACT-UP member Mark Chaney took it upon himself to splash and smear several vials of a red liquid onto the door of the City Council chambers.—
Patrick Salland,
Kansas City Star,
5 June 2025
Verb
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The raw data obscures just how substantial and prolonged the downfall of the little guy in the NBA has been.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
6 June 2025
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Complicating matters further are sophisticated networks of onshore and offshore actors who facilitate illicit operations by obscuring catch data, obfuscating labor abuses, and lobbying to maintain lax regulations, according to C4ADS.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Their reputations were besmirched.—
The Editors,
National Review,
17 Dec. 2024
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Images illustrating the reality versus carefully edited Instagram selfies have somewhat besmirched Santorini’s romantic reputation of late.—
Helen Iatrou,
AFAR Media,
16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Ukrainians said they were subjected to beatings, electric shocks and dog attacks by Russian authorities, not only to extract information but to intimidate and humiliate them.—
Richard Engel,
NBC news,
11 June 2025
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Musk, who also owns SpaceX, had backed Isaacman, and felt betrayed and humiliated when Trump changed his mind, according to the report.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blacken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blacken. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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