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
Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
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
Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
On a recent night in Havana, as another blackout darkened much of the city, taxi driver Leonardo Daniel González steered a friend’s glowing purple 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster through the darkness.
—ABC News, 8 June 2026
As the sky darkened, the jagged ridgeline of the mountains behind us grew sharp and pronounced.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 June 2026
Enjoying and Observing Fireflies The best firefly viewing comes after the sun has set while sitting on a darkened, screened back porch.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
The country’s growth outlook has darkened due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has effectively halted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing up energy and commodities prices globally.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 June 2026
For her role as Selena Quintanilla in the 1997 film about the late singer, her arches were darkened and defined.
—Tori Crowther, Allure, 27 May 2026
But as soon as the Lumière Theatre darkened and the movie began to play, Driver slipped out of his seat.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 19 May 2026
The other is darkened by fuel scarcity and rising prices that threaten a humanitarian crisis.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Adjective
She’s talked up her push to convert darkened streetlights, many of them stripped of their copper wire, to solar power.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
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
As the skies darkened and a swift downpour swept through the ballpark, both teams turned to their bullpens.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
On a recent night in Havana, as another blackout darkened much of the city, taxi driver Leonardo Daniel González steered a friend’s glowing purple 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster through the darkness.
—ABC News, 8 June 2026
As the sky darkened, the jagged ridgeline of the mountains behind us grew sharp and pronounced.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 June 2026
Enjoying and Observing Fireflies The best firefly viewing comes after the sun has set while sitting on a darkened, screened back porch.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
The country’s growth outlook has darkened due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has effectively halted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing up energy and commodities prices globally.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 June 2026
For her role as Selena Quintanilla in the 1997 film about the late singer, her arches were darkened and defined.
—Tori Crowther, Allure, 27 May 2026
But as soon as the Lumière Theatre darkened and the movie began to play, Driver slipped out of his seat.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 19 May 2026
The other is darkened by fuel scarcity and rising prices that threaten a humanitarian crisis.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darkened
Adjective
-
But the true story behind it is a dark, sad and overall pretty confusing one.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Trudeau embraced the Southern California vibes and wore a green T-shirt with black shorts and a pair of dark sunglasses.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
In a pre-AI world, companies would’ve frowned upon allowing clients to bypass the online front door to their services.—
Hugh Son,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
On Saturday, Hill defended Carter after former Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes explained why publicly targeting a teammate is frowned upon inside an NFL locker room.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Back on the field in Casablanca, the politics, war and debate faded away, leaving only a group of teenagers chasing a ball.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
-
That faded almost immediately, though the headache lingered half the day.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Wilson was most often seen behind his fence (with his face mostly obscured), offering moral guidance and wisdom to Tim and the rest of the Taylor family.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
12 June 2026
-
The Islamic Republic of Iran has accelerated its executions of dissidents and activists, with the true number of victims likely obscured by the regime’s internet censorship and blackout.—
Beth Bailey,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The Toronto Blue Jays' 2026 season has been marred by injuries, with veteran pitcher Max Scherzer facing significant setbacks.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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As Bloomberg recently reported, brides are buying $14 spells from witches on Etsy to ensure that their $100,000 weddings are not marred by blizzards or downpours.—
Maureen Dowd,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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Algae bloomed late last week just days after the completion of the renovation, turning the pool from deep blue to green and murky.—
Jonathan Karl,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
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The details remain murky, but reports indicated that American and Iranian leaders on Monday signed an agreement intended to end hostilities between the countries.—
Las Vegas Review-Journal,
Twin Cities,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Pino stared down Adams after cross-examination — and Adams stared back at him.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
-
Dick gave a whinny and stared at the water.—
Dolores Brown,
Outdoor Life,
17 June 2026
Verb
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The shrimp basket at B&J's Steak and Seafood includes a half pound of shrimp fried, grilled, blackened or boiled.—
Bill Dawers - For the AJC,
AJC.com,
2 June 2026
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Look for blackened, dim, and flickering bulbs during your inspections and replace those as well.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Darkened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darkened. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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