as in dark
being without light or without much light
wanting to surprise her, we waited in the darkened room for her to get home before calling out "happy birthday"
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in frowned
to take on a gloomy or forbidding look
his face slowly darkened as we told him the sad news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in obscured
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 marred
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 darkened
Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
As scientists often find darkened teeth in ancient burials, other factors can contribute to a black appearance, notably the chewing of betel leaves.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui posted a video to X over the weekend, showing a dazzling view of auroras spreading like a tall blanket over the darkened Earth below.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Over the weekend, around 16,000 people paid their respects to the designer at his funeral chamber at the Armani Teatro designed by Tadao Ando, filled with white flowers and paper lanterns on the floor in a diagonal grid formation dimly lit up the darkened venue.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
The shades were drawn and curtains closed in Jane’s room, and the door was opened only after the hallway was darkened.
—Fran Moreland Johns, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Meanwhile, the American prospect darkened.
—Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Beyond the frequent urination Wayans experienced, type 2 diabetes symptoms can include increased thirst and hunger, weight loss, frequent infections, tingling in the hands and feet, darkened patches on the skin and dry skin.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
Residents fled as ash fell and smoke darkened the sky, many leaving with little notice as flames approached homes and neighborhoods.
—Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Skies darkened around the same time over Lake Norman, with a light rain in Mooresville and a slight pickup in winds.
—Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
None of the allegations that have since darkened the icon’s star are mentioned at all.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly darkened and sticky, 2–3 minutes.
—Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
In the darkened foyer, Ember contemplated this unassuming bit of paper, momentarily paralyzed by a mixture of dread and excitement stirred together, an overpowering sensation that oozed from the crown of her head, down the length of her body, then hardened, like a soft golden resin becoming solid.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
As scientists often find darkened teeth in ancient burials, other factors can contribute to a black appearance, notably the chewing of betel leaves.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui posted a video to X over the weekend, showing a dazzling view of auroras spreading like a tall blanket over the darkened Earth below.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Over the weekend, around 16,000 people paid their respects to the designer at his funeral chamber at the Armani Teatro designed by Tadao Ando, filled with white flowers and paper lanterns on the floor in a diagonal grid formation dimly lit up the darkened venue.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
The other is darkened by fuel scarcity and rising prices that threaten a humanitarian crisis.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
The shades were drawn and curtains closed in Jane’s room, and the door was opened only after the hallway was darkened.
—Fran Moreland Johns, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Meanwhile, the American prospect darkened.
—Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Beyond the frequent urination Wayans experienced, type 2 diabetes symptoms can include increased thirst and hunger, weight loss, frequent infections, tingling in the hands and feet, darkened patches on the skin and dry skin.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
Residents fled as ash fell and smoke darkened the sky, many leaving with little notice as flames approached homes and neighborhoods.
—Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Skies darkened around the same time over Lake Norman, with a light rain in Mooresville and a slight pickup in winds.
—Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
None of the allegations that have since darkened the icon’s star are mentioned at all.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly darkened and sticky, 2–3 minutes.
—Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darkened
Adjective
-
Baha Mar is large in stature, sure—and Rosewood is part of a three-hotel complex across the bay from Atlantis, which looms large and brooding over its own end of the water as everything Baha Mar does not want to be—dated, dark, and reminiscent of Spring Break Past.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
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Also fascinating were their contrasting likenesses, dark against light housed in the same being, a human eclipse.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Skateboarding, a counter-culture sport once frowned upon in the mainstream, has gained popularity in recent years.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
19 May 2026
-
While the bizarre urge to chuck things at rock stars performing music onstage has been around since the advent of, well, rock stars and stages, it’s increasingly frowned upon and widely considered the ultimate concert faux pas.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
While Ingram faded, Barnes shone in the playoffs.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
That one afternoon’s momentary shame soon faded, but the belief that to be sick is a personal failure has much broader consequences.—
Tom Levenson,
Time,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Images of the enclosure are tightly censored and obscured on digital mapping platforms.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
-
The unveiling of definition that has long been obscured.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The grand occasion was almost marred by an accident, the Tribune reported.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
Though that 2017 championship is marred by one of the most egregious cheating scandals in baseball history.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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But first, the imager will scout the asteroid’s immediate neighborhood to check for any moonlets that could pose hazards to the spacecraft or offer clues to the space rock’s murky past.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
-
Details of their final days remain murky.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Colorado stared at a 3-0 deficit after the first intermission.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
14 May 2026
-
Sashko stared at the fingers for a long time.—
James Verini,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Sepsis had left his skin peeling and his body blackened, including parts of his fingers, ears, lips and lower legs.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
Broil close to heat until blackened and blistered, 4 to 5 minutes per side.—
Rick Bayless,
Midwest Living,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Darkened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darkened. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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