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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of darken
Their views on the economy's trajectory have darkened, with only 25 percent saying in September that things were getting better, down from 28 percent in August.
—
Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Yet this uncertainty comes as the global outlook darkens — both in economic and geopolitical terms.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
And hands-on reports suggest the bright 5,000-nit display is viewable even in bright outdoor scenarios, thanks in part to Transitions lenses that automatically darken to block outside light.
—Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
Now the mood has darkened as nonprofits recruit lawyers and bolster the security of their offices and staff.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for darken
Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Yet this uncertainty comes as the global outlook darkens — both in economic and geopolitical terms.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
And hands-on reports suggest the bright 5,000-nit display is viewable even in bright outdoor scenarios, thanks in part to Transitions lenses that automatically darken to block outside light.
—Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
Now the mood has darkened as nonprofits recruit lawyers and bolster the security of their offices and staff.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for darken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darken
Verb
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According to Coker, Robb & Cannon, these consequences can also damage your case in family court, as judges generally frown on surveillance between spouses or co-parents.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Sep. 2025
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Not explained is whether Makary would be happier if drug companies placed ads with immobile patients, frowns, and funereal music.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The present is always coming at us so hard and fast that the unexamined past fades more from consciousness in the echo chamber of the now.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Sep. 2025
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Nobody buys an Alfa Romeo to fade into the crowd.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In some cases, ATM security cameras photographed people using debit cards to withdraw cash, sometimes wearing COVID-19-era masks to obscure their faces.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
25 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, this past weekend, reports emerged that two American military cargo jets deported people to Africa on flights that appear to have had their transponders turned off, preventing tracking by obscuring their locations from public flight databases and other nearby aircraft.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Sandu’s reelection came amidst an election that was laced with allegations of Russian interference and was marred by fake bomb threats.—
Rajeev Tyagi,
ABC News,
29 Sep. 2025
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Unfortunately for the Giants, this win was marred by a devastating injury for superstar second-year wide receiver Malik Nabers.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When Mahomes stares into the secondary, he’s greeted with congestion.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Sep. 2025
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The other two cats were shown sitting on the top of a toilet, staring at the fresh water in the sink, as if waiting patiently for their go.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Both of her eyes were blackened.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Sep. 2025
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The bronze had blackened and grown florid with green and white spots.—
Dana Goodyear,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Myopia is when someone can see objects close-up but their vision becomes blurred when looking at objects farther away, and astigmatism is a condition in which either the eye’s cornea or lens has a different shape than normal, causing blurred vision.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
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Floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive terraces blur the line between indoors and out, while interiors balance modern elegance with a sense of calm.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Despite holding the lead for much of the game, Federico Chiesa’s 87th-minute equaliser threatened to spoil what was a near-complete performance.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
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Uber Eats’ new Fresh Guarantee means that if your fresh item arrives spoiled, damaged, stale, or past its best-by date, the company will ensure a full review and refund for eligible items.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Darken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darken. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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