as in dark
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
a darkening sky that seemed to match our downcast spirits
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in frowning
to take on a gloomy or forbidding look
his face slowly darkened as we told him the sad news
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fading
to grow dark
the sky darkened as a storm moved in
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3
as in obscuring
to make dark, dim, or indistinct
years of accumulated grime have darkened the painting until it can barely be seen
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4
as in marring
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
the scandal darkened his otherwise sterling reputation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of darkening
Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025
Alternating between onion and potatoes when grating helps keep the potatoes from darkening.
—Joan Nathan, Saveur, 4 Dec. 2025
There were other signs that the labor picture is darkening heading into 2026.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2025
Recent research has shown the Northern Hemisphere is darkening faster than the South, creating an imbalance that scientists say is rising faster than models predicted, and could intensify warming in the northern hemisphere and disrupt global weather patterns.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Farther up, on Observatory Hill, tall cryptomeria trees were silhouetted in the darkening evening, and down in the valleys, lights winked on like reflections of the planets and stars appearing in the sky.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Plus, their fabric and fill are less likely to accrue that ever-darkening yellowish stain that tired goose down pillows acquire over time, thanks to sweat, oils, lotion residues, etc.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2025
The character work elevates this far above your usual slasher or whodunit, and has a lot to say about the threat of solitude always darkening the edges of old age.
—Neil McRobert, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
Heavy fuel oil also produces black carbon, a kind of soot that can settle on the ice and accelerate melt by darkening the surface, meaning more of the sun’s energy is absorbed.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
Add this set of room-darkening curtains to block light for a darker bedroom at night, or grab this fleece blanket to snuggle up with and add texture to a room.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025
Alternating between onion and potatoes when grating helps keep the potatoes from darkening.
—Joan Nathan, Saveur, 4 Dec. 2025
There were other signs that the labor picture is darkening heading into 2026.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2025
Recent research has shown the Northern Hemisphere is darkening faster than the South, creating an imbalance that scientists say is rising faster than models predicted, and could intensify warming in the northern hemisphere and disrupt global weather patterns.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Farther up, on Observatory Hill, tall cryptomeria trees were silhouetted in the darkening evening, and down in the valleys, lights winked on like reflections of the planets and stars appearing in the sky.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Plus, their fabric and fill are less likely to accrue that ever-darkening yellowish stain that tired goose down pillows acquire over time, thanks to sweat, oils, lotion residues, etc.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2025
The character work elevates this far above your usual slasher or whodunit, and has a lot to say about the threat of solitude always darkening the edges of old age.
—Neil McRobert, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
Heavy fuel oil also produces black carbon, a kind of soot that can settle on the ice and accelerate melt by darkening the surface, meaning more of the sun’s energy is absorbed.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darkening
Adjective
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Jim is the only one standing still, staring straight at the camera with his intense, dark-blue eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Small described the shooter as a male who was wearing dark clothing and black and white shoes.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The men stood frowning at each other and then back at Adi until the one without the gun broke into croaks of laughter.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Smiling can actually lift your mood, while frowning can lower it.—
Valerie Monroe,
Allure,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Data Privacy Week is one of those calendar moments that risks fading into the background.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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The oil’s powerhouse formula has a number of benefits, including brightening skin and fading age spots.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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It's long been known that the spinning turbines of a wind farm can interfere with radar, obscuring legitimate targets and creating the appearance of false ones.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
21 Jan. 2026
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With the program and song texts only available to download on the cellphone, the audience was left in the dark without texts and, with amplification obscuring diction, not knowing what’s what.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Including playoffs, Mayfield turned the ball over more than anyone else from 2023 through 2024, marring an otherwise fantastic two seasons in Tampa Bay.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
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An optional front rack on both models adds instant utility without marring the retro-fantastic looks.—
William Roberson,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Tautly written, this first novel by a former criminal lawyer who spent 17 years in the Arctic is a hard look at the desolate lives of people resigned to life in the bleak far north.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
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Both Bird and Clausen play this mounting nightmare with the appropriate ache and desperation, elevating the emotional tenor of Chiarella’s sad, frequently bleak film.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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With his team staring at a seven-point halftime deficit and a three-game losing streak in the SEC, Texas basketball coach Sean Miller didn’t mince words about the importance of the second half in Saturday’s 87-67 win Georgia.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Jan. 2026
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Actor Matt Manuel, who is currently staring in the Off-Broadway production of Spelling Bee, weighed in on the topic of theater etiquette.—
Emma Kershaw,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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High-Heat-Safe Alternatives While enameled cast-iron cookware is excellent to use for braising, roasting, baking, or gentle stovetop cooking, certain high heat applications like searing steak or blackening fish are best done in other types of pans, like traditional cast iron or stainless steel.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
10 Sep. 2025
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Each footstep sent up clouds of dust and ash, coating everything, including my mouth and teeth, in fine grit, blackening my snot and saliva.—
River Selby
August 25,
Literary Hub,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Darkening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darkening. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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