Synonyms of blackening

blackening 1 of 2

noun

ˈblak-niŋ 

as in libel

the making of false statements that damage another's reputation

blackening of the senator's good name disgusted voters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• libel
• defamation
• defaming
• libeling
• smearing
• criticism
• slander
• calumny
• attack
• vilification
• abuse
• maligning
• smear
• traducing
• vilifying
• contempt
• censure
• character assassination
• calumniation
• mud
• malice
• aspersing
• aspersion
• innuendo
• spite
• maliciousness
• disdain
• detraction
• denunciation
• backbiting
• vituperation
• invective
• denigration
• scorn
• disparagement
• muck
• malevolence
• hatchet job
• malignancy
• spitefulness
• venom
• hatefulness
• malignity
• meanness
• belittlement
• spleen
• viciousness
• despite
• nastiness
• cattiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praise
• respect
• applause
• acclaim
• commendation
• esteem
• honor
• worship
• reverence
• flattery
• accolade
• adoration
• veneration
• adulation

blackening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of blacken

1

as in staining

to make dirty

blackened the towels with their dirty hands

Synonyms & Similar Words

• staining
• dirtying
• messing
• smudging
• soiling
• besmirching
• sullying
• mucking
• muddying
• daubing
• befouling
• fouling
• griming
• miring
• polluting
• contaminating
• smirching
• distaining
• begriming
• tainting
• discoloring
• gauming
• bemiring
• defiling
• disarranging
• disordering
• muddling
• jumbling
• draggling
• disheveling
• disarraying
• crocking
• confusing
• collying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cleaning
• cleansing
• purging
• purifying
• wiping
• decontaminating
• sweeping
• brushing
• disinfecting
• scrubbing
• dusting
• washing
• rinsing
• sanitizing
• scouring
• mopping
• brightening
• renewing
• laundering
• freshening
• straightening (up)
• deodorizing
• tidying (up)
• dry-cleaning
• sprucing (up)

2

as in smearing

to make untrue and harmful statements about

the politician maliciously blackened his opponent's reputation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• smearing
• libeling
• slandering
• disgracing
• maligning
• humiliating
• vilifying
• discrediting
• defaming
• calumniating
• shaming
• denigrating
• detracting
• disparaging
• traducing
• aspersing
• belittling
• dishonoring
• degrading
• disdaining
• debasing
• humbling
• scorning
• abasing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• honoring
• exalting
• praising
• glorifying
• respecting
• applauding
• commending
• admiring
• regarding
• acclaiming
• worshipping
• esteeming
• adoring
• revering
• venerating

3

as in darkening

to make dark, dim, or indistinct

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• darkening
• obscuring
• blurring
• clouding
• overshadowing
• dimming
• shrouding
• fogging
• shadowing
• overcasting
• hazing
• misting
• beclouding
• shading
• concealing
• obliterating
• overclouding
• covering
• hiding
• dislimning
• blearing
• bedimming
• eclipsing
• fuzzing (up)
• befogging
• masking
• adumbrating
• camouflaging
• blotting out
• screening
• disguising
• veiling
• cloaking
• curtaining

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lightening
• illuminating
• brightening
• lighting (up)
• exposing
• revealing
• uncovering
• illumining
• unveiling

4

as in fading

to grow dark

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• darkening
• fading
• closing in
• dusking
• blacking out
• dimming
• waning
• lowering
• glooming

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lighting
• shining
• lightening
• brightening
• glowing
• radiating
• dawning
• beaming

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of blackening

Noun

Widespread yellowing or blackening of leaves followed by heavy leaf drop. — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 15 July 2026

As the Emcee, an eerie, contorted figure who represents the slow blackening of the city’s soul, Muscato picks up from a prestigious line of talent that includes Eddie Redmayne, Billy Porter and Matt Willis. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026

The ancient Southeast Asian practice of tooth blackening was once thought to have emerged in Vietnam around the late 19th century. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026

Temple leaves the tail shell on the end of the shrimp to protect the tender tip in the blackening process. — Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2021

Drizzle lime juice over tilapia, season with 1/2 tsp salt, and dip in blackening seasoning. — Woman's Day Kitchen, Woman's Day, 31 Mar. 2020

Like Dorian Gray’s portrait, his face registered the blackening of Walt’s soul. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Oct. 2019

Fenolio came across an academic journal with a paper about a particular species of frog that had faced similar deaths — a blackening and drying of the skin followed by a quick demise. — Josh Baugh, ExpressNews.com, 8 July 2019

Any blackening or a brown shade on the switch or outlet is cause for concern. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 29 Apr. 2016

Verb

Check monthly for signs of shriveling (add moisture), blackening or softening (discard). — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026

The Volcano fire was among blazes this week, blackening more than 100 acres in Riverside County. — Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

And Hanceville’s fate is as murky as the fog that pours in at night, blotting out buildings and blackening the road ahead. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026

These tungsten atoms would then condense on the slightly cooler inside of the glass bulb, blackening it and dimming the light over time. — Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026

High-Heat-Safe Alternatives While enameled cast-iron cookware is excellent to use for braising, roasting, baking, or gentle stovetop cooking, certain high heat applications like searing steak or blackening fish are best done in other types of pans, like traditional cast iron or stainless steel. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025

Each footstep sent up clouds of dust and ash, coating everything, including my mouth and teeth, in fine grit, blackening my snot and saliva. — River Selby august 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025