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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dark

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noun

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
If systems go dark, leadership can’t function. Maman Ibrahim, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 Pheromone maxxing may, at first, just seem like the latest iteration of the age-old practice of young people trying to attract romantic partners—but beneath it lies something darker. Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
Or, for something simpler and just as magical, step outside after dark and watch the Milky Way stretch and swirl above you. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025 Or visit the notorious Robert the Doll after dark. Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dark
Adjective
  • Many stars making up familiar constellation figures are invisible, and dim constellations such as Cancer and Pisces are not seen at all.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • What explains this dim outlook?
    Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • At around the same time, a tall, college-aged man carrying a black backpack made his way up the stairwell of the nearby Losee Center, a four-story concrete building that houses the student welcome center, among other things.
    Rick Jervis, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Tillman wore a stunning all-white suit and bowtie, while Cumming sported a chic black suit accented with white outlines, and a giant pussybow tie.
    James Factora, Them., 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Yes, there are good reasons to question NASA's long-term plans for the Artemis lunar program—the woeful cost of the Space Launch System rocket, the complexity of new commercial landers, and a bleak budget outlook.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
  • That's rather bleak, while Charlie Sheen's life has just been bonkers.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Owners also must have measures in place to ensure that cannabis is not stolen or diverted, including programs to track each piece of cannabis that enters and leaves their store, as well as more traditional security systems, such as video-surveillance systems and a silent alarm.
    Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
  • If any police ask you questions ask for a lawyer and stay silent.
    Joshua Rhett Miller Jesus Mesa Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Unlike Europe's clear regulatory framework under PSD2, American enterprises operate in a more ambiguous environment where implementation decisions must account for evolving compliance requirements and uncertain regulatory timelines.
    Dave Glaser, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Dani's on-again, off-again relationship with playboy photographer Andre — who's also her sister's ex's nephew — has become more ambiguous than ever in recent weeks.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The fact that multiple guests were ignorant of the CCP’s control over CGTN shows that booking agents working for the network may have failed to disclose such information.
    Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The league might be skeptical that the Clippers were merely ignorant of the Aspiration-Leonard relationship and question why the team didn’t undertake more diligence.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The inexcusable, evil acts of an individual.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
  • He and his followers were locked in a battle with an enemy that was not just ideologically opposed but unwell, possibly evil.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This quiz invites you to explore the darker corners of sci-fi literature, where monsters lurk not just in shadows, but in laboratories, alien worlds and post-apocalyptic wastelands.
    Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • And while this civil war of sorts bloomed in the shadows in Kentucky, another culture sprung up in broad daylight.
    Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dark. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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