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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of darken
But the context of the occasion had darkened considerably.
—
David Remnick, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
In recent years, the reality show underwent a contemporary reexamination in the age of social media, with fans reigniting conversations about controversial elements of the show, such as shoots that darkened models' skin to portray different ethnicities, body-shaming panelists, and more.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Clouds darkened across the Bay Area Sunday as the first of three back-to-back rain storms gathered over the region, kicking off what is forecast to be a week of rain that could last through next Sunday.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026
In recent years, neighborhoods ranging from Hancock Park and Lincoln Heights to Mar Vista and Pico Union have been plagued by copper wire theft that darkens the streets.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for darken
David Remnick, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
In recent years, the reality show underwent a contemporary reexamination in the age of social media, with fans reigniting conversations about controversial elements of the show, such as shoots that darkened models' skin to portray different ethnicities, body-shaming panelists, and more.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Clouds darkened across the Bay Area Sunday as the first of three back-to-back rain storms gathered over the region, kicking off what is forecast to be a week of rain that could last through next Sunday.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026
In recent years, neighborhoods ranging from Hancock Park and Lincoln Heights to Mar Vista and Pico Union have been plagued by copper wire theft that darkens the streets.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for darken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darken
Verb
-
Seward tries on one of his safari jackets, based on a 1948 British army uniform, but Stéphane frowns at the fit.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Historically, archaeologists have wondered about this tradition, often frowned upon by Western audiences.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When Dreher wrote The Benedict Option, during the Obama presidency, his primary concern was how to keep faith alive at a time when Christianity seemed to be fading away.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
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Relationship endings are possible under this influence — don’t insist on forcing a connection that’s trying to fade.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And a total solar eclipse—when the moon passes in front of the sun and fully obscures the star from our view—will grace the Northern Hemisphere on August 12.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
17 Feb. 2026
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Stay at least 200 feet behind any working plow to make sure your visibility isn't obscured.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The demoralizing graffiti marring the main entrance to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 360 Lenox Ave.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
12 Feb. 2026
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Hubbard’s own time at UT was marred by controversy over his study of pederasty, the study of adult male relationships with boys in ancient Greece.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Both squadrons stare each other down on horseback, in full armor and weaponry — looking like bonafide badasses of the Game of Thrones universe.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
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Jordan Stolz, sitting opposite of the finish line staring at a large video board, looked at his coach and nodded.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 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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From time to time, her vision would blur.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
14 Feb. 2026
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The clip shows a dark-haired man whose face is blurred, though a goatee is somewhat visible.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Canada’s comeback spoiled good performances by a pair of Anaheim Ducks.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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The rampant speculation was also fueled by the existence of another clip in which Ansell appears to spoil a major plot point for a potential future season of the show.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Darken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darken. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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