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
Once cured, store the sweet potatoes in a cool, dry, dark space, such as a basement, garage, or pantry. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025 Don’t forget to check out Prime Day deals on Amazon’s bestselling beauty products, like the $7 Tree Hut Vanilla Shea Sugar Scrub and these 50% off under-eye patches for dark circles, puffiness, and more. —Katrina Cossey, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
Journey, Pitbull, BigXthaPlug and Counting Crows will perform at the Mustang Stage, which is being reimagined for 2026 and provides a space for the after-dark performance moments that have become an essential part of Stagecoach. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2025 The drop-in-the-dark attraction features randomized drop sequences that move much faster than Tower of Terror ever did. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 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
  • Under the dim red lights, the audience and the band became one, swimming in a sea of sound.
    — Ivan Kashinsky, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The picture looks pleasing in a dim room and holds shadow detail in darker scenes, so movies don’t turn into mush.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
Definition of dim
Adjective
  • The sign — fixed high on the outside wall of the black and red painted concrete block building — was to be removed before demolition and donated to the Wisconsin Black Historical Society/ Museum under the requirements of the demolition contract.
    — Mary Spicuzza, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • As Tom tells Robbie to put his gun down, the screen goes black.
    — Grace Byron, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
Definition of black
Adjective
  • While there is still a chance that Sanders and Colorado can turn things around, the rest of the season is looking bleak.
    — Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • From a bleak job hunt upon her arrival in 2016 to undergoing treatment for her second bout with breast cancer during the uncertainty and fear of COVID, Davis recalls her journey through raw vulnerability and splashes of humor.
    — Essence, Essence, 1 Oct. 2025
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • Designed for comfort and performance, this exercise bike uses magnetic resistance for a silent, frictionless ride.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Those reasons will spill out over time — certainly the silent Jem won’t interrupt.
    — Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Definition of silent
Adjective
  • Life is mysterious and ambiguous, and so the film to us, is a beautiful representation of that type of experience that is just not captured very often in movies.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
  • For over a century, the United States has coercively maintained the base against the wishes of the Cuban government, an arrangement prompting political and legal debates surrounding the territory’s ambiguous sovereignty.
    — Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • At the time, central Appalachia was widely depicted in the popular press as a backward, ignorant region whose mountainous terrain kept its people isolated, outside the flow of progress – a stereotype still common today.
    — The Conversation, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
  • So what will our ignorant commissioner do with the information?
    — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 28 Sep. 2025
Definition of ignorant
Adjective
  • Tim Curry's marvelous Frank was a monster of self-regard, and Tim knew exactly how to give this evil genius his head and Mick served it up on a photographic plate.
    — Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Major biotech companies that churn out made-to-order DNA for scientists have protections in place to keep dangerous biological material out of the hands of would-be evil-doers.
    — Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Definition of evil
Noun
  • In Tom Holland’s Fright Night, there’s no lurking in the shadows, and the phallic imagery is hard to miss.
    — Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
  • Nobody wants to live in the shadows.
    — Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
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 10 Oct. 2025.

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