dark 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdärk How to pronounce dark (audio)
Definition of darknext
1
as in dim
being without light or without much light a dark alley that most people wisely avoided

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2
as in black
not having a light complexion he was tall, dark, and handsome

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3
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer her mind was filled with dark thoughts until the results of the medical test came back as negative

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4
as in silent
given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge the actor was always quite dark about his life before his arrival in Hollywood

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5
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning the superhero was not daunted by the villain's dark threats

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6
as in ignorant
lacking in education or the knowledge gained from books is known as a dark period in European history when people lived in ignorance, fear, and want

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7
as in evil
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable dark deeds that resulted in the Russian czar being known to history as Ivan the Terrible

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dark

2 of 2

noun

1
as in shadows
a time or place of little or no light I have a bad habit of running into tables in the dark

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2
as in night
the time from sunset to sunrise when there is no visible sunlight we were going to wait until dark to go trick-or-treating

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word dark different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of dark are ambiguous, cryptic, enigmatic, equivocal, obscure, and vague. While all these words mean "not clearly understandable," dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.

muttered dark hints of revenge

In what contexts can ambiguous take the place of dark?

The meanings of ambiguous and dark largely overlap; however, ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.

an ambiguous directive

When might cryptic be a better fit than dark?

While in some cases nearly identical to dark, cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.

cryptic hints of hidden treasure

When could enigmatic be used to replace dark?

The synonyms enigmatic and dark are sometimes interchangeable, but enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality.

enigmatic occult writings

When can equivocal be used instead of dark?

The words equivocal and dark are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading.

moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

When is obscure a more appropriate choice than dark?

In some situations, the words obscure and dark are roughly equivalent. However, obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.

obscure poems

When would vague be a good substitute for dark?

While the synonyms vague and dark are close in meaning, vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration.

a vague sense of obligation

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 dark
Adjective
These should be able to spot most stains in a reasonably dark room. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 27 July 2026 The clip, which the outlet reviewed and verified, showed a dark-haired man holding knives in each of his hands. — Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
Noun
Keeping Lights on All Night Fireflies need plenty of dark to put on their nocturnal light show and attract the mates needed to produce the next generation of fireflies. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 July 2026 Jamie Carter Timeline Friday, July 17A 17%-lit waxing crescent moon will shine just to the left of Venus in the west after dark. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dark
  1. murky
  2. black
  3. bleak
  4. silent
  5. ambiguous
  6. ignorant
  7. evil
  8. shadows
Adjective
  • But the ethical waters are murky, and any such project should have high levels of public transparency and accountability, said Lisa Moses, a veterinarian and bioethicist at Harvard Medical School.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • Now, though, that rather murky picture is growing a bit clearer.
    — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of murky
Adjective
  • This month biologists at the University of Vermont reported in Nature that the black melanoma is contagious, the tumor cells themselves passing from one fish to the next.
    — John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Contemporary playgrounds and schoolyards are often designed with minimal shade and artificial materials, like black rubber, concrete and aluminum, that can reach dangerously high surface temperatures when sun-exposed.
    — The Conversation, Fortune, 27 July 2026
Definition of black
Adjective
  • Before yesterday’s vote, the prospects for BPC-157 appeared bleak.
    — Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
  • Recent headlines about technology jobs have often presented a bleak outlook.
    — Felysha Walker, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • The oversized teeth of the character were originally to be used only during silent scenes, but Carrey learned to talk with them on to make his character even more cartoon-like.
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026
  • School is meant to prepare students for the real world, but too many institutions are training kids to be silent.
    — Annabelle Garland, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026
Definition of silent
Adjective
  • High performers are the ones most often asked to manage difficult clients, resolve cross-functional conflict, make judgment calls and handle ambiguous challenges.
    — Kim Meninger, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • This definition of midlife also has ambiguous boundaries, which Lachman readily admits.
    — Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 25 July 2026
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • Careers made and ruined, departments torn apart, writing programs turned into sensitivity seminars, political witch hunts, public opprobrium, ignorant media attacks, the whole ball of wax.
    — Emily Eakin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026
  • Any advice on how to tune out ignorant neighbors who refuse to shut up?
    — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 15 July 2026
Definition of ignorant
Adjective
  • The series is chock full of supernatural happenings, with evil and malicious beings (both human and not) around every corner.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Figures tangle in a perpetual struggle between good and evil, but always with the reassurance that goodness will prevail.
    — The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of evil
Noun
  • Mixing a sharp slider with a changeup and fastball from the sunshine into the shadows early in the game, Cease had very little hard contact.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • And as eye makeup continues its renaissance–with colorful liners, statement shadows and playful mascaras everywhere from the catwalks to TikTok–there’s never been a better time to experiment.
    — Chloe Burcham, Vogue, 24 July 2026
Definition of shadows

Phrases Containing dark

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daringness
dark
dark age
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Cite this Entry

“Dark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dark. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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