black 1 of 3

1
as in ebony
having the color of soot or coal we adopted a little black kitten

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in brunette
not having a light complexion a black Irishman, Tyrone Power had the classic looks of a Hollywood leading man

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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black

2 of 3

noun

black

3 of 3

verb

chiefly British

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 black
Noun
No polymer binder is used with Lithium Forever, enabling over 90% of materials, including active substances from the anode and cathode, to be recovered without the costly and energy-intensive black mass process. James Morris, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025 Beyond the reception area of the six-floor Art Deco building—a space decorated with a mustard leather sofa and walnut lounge chairs upholstered in black leather or blue velvet—is a spiral terrazzo staircase that guests can use to access the hotel’s suites. Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 13 July 2025
Verb
Take your pick from black to mocha to crisp, winter white. Taylor Jean Stephan, Peoplemag, 31 Jan. 2023 Flaunt this fun, floral style, or opt for their best-selling classic black. Meg Donohue, Town & Country, 31 Jan. 2023 See All Example Sentences for black
Recent Examples of Synonyms for black
Adjective
  • In the study, meanwhile, dark-hued walls and ebony wood are accented by abstract, colorful art.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 May 2025
  • Dating back roughly 1,500 years, the artifacts are carved from rare ebony wood that originated in India or Sri Lanka.
    Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Scarlett tempted Zayn to use a lead pipe to show his dark side.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
  • This was courtesy of the changing wind direction, which picked up in strength as a few dark clouds gathered near the circuit, with some drivers even reporting a sprinkling of rain as Q2 got underway.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In its time open, fueled by fans of its blackened mahi and buttery lobster rolls, owner Mike Smith has expanded his footprint, moving into a larger stall in the popular food hall — which has allowed for a menu expansion, as well.
    Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2022
  • There are no glamorous furnishings — just a French window, its blackened panes suggesting the dark of night.
    Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2022
Noun
  • That experience includes a few minutes of weightlessness and great views of Earth against the blackness of space, from an altitude of more than 62 miles (100 kilometers).
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 22 July 2025
  • The Atacama Desert is known for the inky blackness of its nights, and is considered one of the best on Earth for stargazing.
    Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Critics say displaying those details may encourage some observing the festival to boycott shops owned by those of another faith – an attack on the secularism enshrined in the constitution.
    Aishwarya S. Iyer, CNN Money, 25 July 2025
  • Any social movement, including shoppers who have been boycotting certain retailers for their rollbacks of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, hurt retail sales, Rowley said.
    Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • Sasha stood in the middle, wearing a gray suit and tan shoes.
    Hannah Sacks, People.com, 25 July 2025
  • Symptoms include coughing or gagging, frothing at the mouth, blue/gray gums and shallow or rapid breathing.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Elements of her can be found on Lioness in Zoe Saldaña’s Joe McNamara, a CIA operative trying to save the world from the swarthy — terrorists in Season One, Mexican cartels in Season Two — while raising two girls.
    Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Jett Rink was a really malevolent varmint, and kind of swarthy and dark.
    Jeff Conway, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Anton and his second wife adopted Jean sometime during the Depression, but the details are murky.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • While the Celtics have made a couple of small additions, the future is still a bit murky.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Black.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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