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
This often caustic character study gives her a real showcase to stretch out and go to some truly dark places. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2026 Then came the silver capes and dark shades that are part of the walk. — Franchesca Guim, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
Noun
Latino voters were prevented from voting in Vineland, while in Newark some voters were physically chased from the polls by patrolmen, one of whom warned a poll worker not to stay at her post after dark. — Mark Krasovic, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2026 One of the best things to come from the recent renovation was Notch8, the new lobby-level bar and restaurant, which serves excellent drinks in a dark, loungey atmosphere. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 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
  • Destructive storms like Hurricane Milton in 2024, which made landfall on Florida’s west coast at Siesta Key, can destroy traps, make the water murky and otherwise cause complications for fishermen.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The evidence is murkier than the common talking point suggests.
    — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of murky
Adjective
  • In the 1980s, when Parisian fashion was all power shoulders and cinched waists, a group of Japanese designers arrived with black clothes, asymmetry, holes and new silhouettes.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The inside of the ice machine had an accumulation of black and pink organic buildup.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of black
Adjective
  • Unlike Gregor Samsa who is confined to his room after transforming into a huge insect, the protagonist still has to go to work, a dark and bleak absurdity that lays bare the alienation, isolation, and hypocrisy of modern life.
    — Deadline, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Providing a faint ray of hope in this otherwise bleak start to life, the five baby orangutans have been settling into their new surroundings in Odisha at the Nandankanan Zoo.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • Final Thoughts The Hisense 8,000 BTU UltraSlim Smart Inverter is a standout window air conditioner that effortlessly balances sleek design, near-silent operation, and top-tier performance.
    — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The California Democratic Party opposes the measure, but many of its leading officials have stayed silent.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of silent
Adjective
  • But the future of early-career employment is increasingly ambiguous, largely due to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
    — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
  • From here on out, the authorship of Tae-ju’s life is ambiguous, as well as constantly in flux, buffeted by the whims and suggestions of others, as well as by her own impulses.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • Some people in the White House treated Jackie as a cipher, ignorant of almost everything happening.
    — Laurence Leamer, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026
  • And in a world increasingly populated by people who are absolutely certain that everyone who disagrees with them is either ignorant or immoral, our universities could use considerably more of all three.
    — Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of ignorant
Adjective
  • Declonius Peck, its beloved editor-in-chief, has gone to prison for embezzlement, and his evil twin, Salton, has assumed management of the family business, along with the 39 editors who curate the periodical.
    — Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The film focuses on Merry, the first witch born on Christmas Day, who must defeat a coven of evil witches that has kidnapped Santa Claus in a bid to destroy Christmas.
    — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of evil
Noun
  • Depending on the time of day and the weather, visitors will see these spaces under different light and cast with varying shadows.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The diagrid also casts cool shadows that shift as the day goes by.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of shadows

Phrases Containing dark

Browse Nearby Words

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 18 Oct. 2026.

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