Synonyms of blackening

blackening 1 of 2

noun

as in defaming

the making of false statements that damage another's reputation

blackening of the senator's good name disgusted voters

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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2

as in smearing

to make untrue and harmful statements about

the politician maliciously blackened his opponent's reputation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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4

as in fading

to grow dark

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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