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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Both dark seedless raisins and sultanas (golden raisins) come from Thompson Seedless grapes, a light green–gold variety. —Lauren O'Connor, Health, 28 Oct. 2025 Set at Camp Marigold, the story follows a young woman who uncovers a dark family secret tied to an ancient spirit known as Sara Sarita — the daughter of the devil. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
Head to Grote Markt, where the Renaissance Town Hall sparkles with lights and the historic homes that fringe the square are illuminated after dark. —Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 27 Oct. 2025 The 67-year-old man was able to swim ashore to Knight Island and took shelter in the caretaker's house after dark. —Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dark
  1. dim
  2. black
  3. bleak
  4. silent
  5. ambiguous
  6. ignorant
  7. evil
  8. shadows
Adjective
  • In the play, Tesman is described as portly and characterized as distinctly dim, and feels too soft to even foster real, passionate envy of Lovborg.
    — Rory Doherty, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The dim lighting of a fireplace, or a few lamps, round out the soft aesthetic.
    — Kylie Petty, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025
Definition of dim
Adjective
  • The Steve Madde Rafe Mule in black leather is where comfort meets style.
    — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Her hair is often a massive tangle of black curls, her nails are expertly polished, her huge brown eyes peer out from spidery lashes, and her skin is cocoa-butter smooth.
    — Stephanie Mansfield, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2025
Definition of black
Adjective
  • While the eradication of our species might sound like a bleak ending note, Lanthimos tells EW that audiences are divided on whether the film presents a hopeful or pessimistic view of the future.
    — Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Duffy painted a bleak scene at airports if the shutdown is not ended before Thanksgiving travel.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • Scherzinger’s only familiarity with the material was Billy Wilder’s 1950 film, which starred Gloria Swanson as a faded beauty of the silent era hell-bent on a return to relevance.
    — Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani was born in Voghera, near Milan, on May 11, 1932, named after silent movie actor Rudolph Valentino.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Definition of silent
Adjective
  • With stunning celerity, possibility becomes probability and then certainty, as readers reject the quiet, circuitous, and unglamorous narratives of prudential compromise, ambiguous diplomacy, or incremental progress.
    — Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Ibsen’s choice to use Hedda’s maiden name for the play speaks to her resistance to the strong presence of men in her life; DaCosta’s choice to remove the surname entirely speaks to a rejection of patriarchal identity, replaced with an ambiguous void that Hedda herself doesn’t know how to fill.
    — Rory Doherty, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • In fact, the term itself was an epithet throughout the founding era, a way to describe ignorant and easily deceived popular majorities, perpetually vulnerable to demagogues.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
  • International students are close to entirely ignorant of Canadian history and politics.
    — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
Definition of ignorant
Adjective
  • But there are many other threats out there, like the evil wizard Vilgefortz (Mahesh Jadu) who attacks Yennefer’s forces in the climactic Battle of Montecalvo.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Forces of good and evil collide in a terrifying film where real-world challenges crash headlong into other worldly creatures and myths.
    — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
Definition of evil
Noun
  • Cast adrift in a frosty wilderness—a harrowing yet welcome departure, visually, from the Gothic shadows of Victor’s lair—the Creature experiences a dollop of decency, courtesy of a blind old farmer (a wonderful David Bradley), but also a deluge of misery, courtesy of everyone else.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The facility also replicates the moon's intense sunlight, harsh shadows and dust-laden environment, providing a realistic setting for testing equipment like Argonaut.
    — Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Definition of shadows

Phrases Containing dark

Browse Nearby Words

daringness
dark
dark age
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dark. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on dark

Nglish: Translation of dark for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

13 Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

Birds Say the Darndest Things

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

13 Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
pastel colored puzzle piece speech bubbles with shadows
Quiz: Find the Missing Link Figure out the word that fits both halves of the ...
See All