1
as in to frown
to take on a gloomy or forbidding look
his face slowly darkened as we told him the sad news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to obscure
to make dark, dim, or indistinct
years of accumulated grime have darkened the painting until it can barely be seen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to mar
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
the scandal darkened his otherwise sterling reputation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 darken
The industry is grappling with these logistical hurdles against a backdrop of darkening economic sentiment.
—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2026
The economist Adam Posen on the effect of the war in Iran on the world’s economy and the darkening economic outlook for the United States.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 2026
As the world's largest oil importer and a heavily export-reliant economy, China is vulnerable to an oil shock that's already slowing trade, pushing up factory costs, and darkening the outlook for the rest of the year.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
The staggering human toll in Gaza, ongoing West Bank settlement expansion, another incursion into Lebanon, and a darkening war with Iran eroded support among younger Americans—even as Washington remains Israel’s indispensable security partner.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for darken
Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2026
The economist Adam Posen on the effect of the war in Iran on the world’s economy and the darkening economic outlook for the United States.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 2026
As the world's largest oil importer and a heavily export-reliant economy, China is vulnerable to an oil shock that's already slowing trade, pushing up factory costs, and darkening the outlook for the rest of the year.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
The staggering human toll in Gaza, ongoing West Bank settlement expansion, another incursion into Lebanon, and a darkening war with Iran eroded support among younger Americans—even as Washington remains Israel’s indispensable security partner.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for darken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darken
Verb
-
Levin has not denied paying for story tips, which is frowned upon by traditional journalism outlets.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Mother frowned, then perked up.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Between items that are dated and faded, here are a handful of outdoor decor pieces that designers say are always eyesores.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
1 May 2026
-
Public conversation centers on politics, blame, and strategy, while children fade into the background.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
But what exactly happens to these baby stars next isn't always clear (literally) because they are buried deep within clouds of dark, dusty gas that obscure them.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
All of that mythology, though, can obscure the real story.—
Jimmy Jellinek,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That project was marred by a labor investigation, which BYD and its contractors settled late last year.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
-
May Day rallies in Turkey are frequently marred by clashes with authorities.—
Sylvie Corbet,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Ramzan looked to her, pleading, but Sakeena’s eyes only stared into their reflection on the glass patio door.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 May 2026
-
Inning after inning, the staring contest continued.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
The park is open from daylight to dusk for visitors and 24/7 for campers.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Its hours are from dawn to dusk every day of the year.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Fox Nation President Lauren Petterson said in the press release that Season 1 showed just how easily lines can be blurred between fiction and reality.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
-
In some commercial newsrooms, advertisers can use their influence to try to dictate news content or attempt to blur the lines between journalism and advertisements, although there are strict rules about this in some countries.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Naturally, trouble spoils the crew’s relaxation in the form of an ocean princess named Yura (Allegra Clark; Saoiri Onishi) on the run from baddies Zodon (Christopher Corey Smith; Koichi Domoto) and Djeese (Yuri Lowenthal; Koji Yusa).—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
1 May 2026
-
Cincy spoiled the shutout in the ninth off reliever Jimmy Herget when Will Benson tagged him for a two-run homer.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Darken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darken. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
