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
More importantly, the romance of the blockade seems to have darkened the German public’s opinion of the coal industry, hastening the nation’s green transition.
—
Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
During this event, the entire moon passes through the Earth's umbra (the darkest part of its shadow), causing the moon to appear darkened or reddened.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 26 Feb. 2026
As Europe's political climate darkens against refugees, asylum seekers and economic migrants, with governments including that of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni focusing resources on limiting new arrivals, Milan is taking a stand for a different approach.
—Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026
Add garlic, tomato paste, and pepper; cook, stirring constantly, until tomato paste has darkened in color, about 2 minutes.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for darken
Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
During this event, the entire moon passes through the Earth's umbra (the darkest part of its shadow), causing the moon to appear darkened or reddened.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 26 Feb. 2026
As Europe's political climate darkens against refugees, asylum seekers and economic migrants, with governments including that of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni focusing resources on limiting new arrivals, Milan is taking a stand for a different approach.
—Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026
Add garlic, tomato paste, and pepper; cook, stirring constantly, until tomato paste has darkened in color, about 2 minutes.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for darken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darken
Verb
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Father-to-son succession has been frowned upon since the monarchy was topped in 1979.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
9 Mar. 2026
-
With some franchises in this intensely competitive market, stockpiling high picks and doing a rebuild is frowned upon if not out-and-out rejected by fans.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Three days later, Litmus Test faded to third place in his first start of the year, the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas.—
Jay Posner,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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What sympathy there may have been for a cornered, bruised Iranian regime among its neighbors has faded in the face of Tehran’s escalation.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
All three major indexes had spent time Tuesday solidly higher and lower, so their closing levels obscure all that happened during the trading day.—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2026
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Police recovered surveillance footage of the suspect, his face partially obscured by his hood, near the scene.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The issue, which can arise within minutes, is that no matter how careful, how neurotic, how cautious someone is, inevitably the shiny piano black plastic trim gets scratched, knicked, and or marred rapidly as a car is used.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
5 Mar. 2026
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The Democratic contest was marred by voting issues affecting the state’s second-largest county, which caused confusion around ballot eligibility.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Balat stared ahead at the defense table.—
Jake Offenhartz,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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But viewers might not have to fill those three minutes staring at Lionel Messi downing a Gatorade.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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If feelings blur facts, do your best to find a time when everyone involved can share what would help.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
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This can further blur the line between fantasy and reality.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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South Florida’s bar scene is constantly spoiling us.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
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Rancidity occurs when naturally occurring fats in the flour oxidize, like how olive oil can spoil.—
Amy Sherman,
Martha Stewart,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Darken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darken. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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