1
as in frowns
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 obscures
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 taints
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 darkens
Elsewhere, an unexpected power shift darkens the brotherhood bond between Phil (Adrian Holmes) and Geoffrey (Jimmy Akingbola), whose loyalties to the Banks family are tested.
—
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
The dishwasher often darkens and discolors aluminum cookware.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
Today, as a government shutdown darkens our national museums and the National Endowment for the Humanities is gutted, the danger is no longer a matter of rhetoric but of radical, systemic action.
—Andrew Weinstein, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
The tree produces an annual fall harvest of walnuts, enclosed in a green husk that darkens when ripe.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
When the sky darkens, her stomach clenches.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
When that last stellar ember cools and darkens, the age of black holes will still be in its early days.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 24 Sep. 2025
Yet this uncertainty comes as the global outlook darkens — both in economic and geopolitical terms.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Blocking the sunlight also darkens his living spaces.
—Roxana Popescu, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2025
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
The dishwasher often darkens and discolors aluminum cookware.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
Today, as a government shutdown darkens our national museums and the National Endowment for the Humanities is gutted, the danger is no longer a matter of rhetoric but of radical, systemic action.
—Andrew Weinstein, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
The tree produces an annual fall harvest of walnuts, enclosed in a green husk that darkens when ripe.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
When the sky darkens, her stomach clenches.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
When that last stellar ember cools and darkens, the age of black holes will still be in its early days.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 24 Sep. 2025
Yet this uncertainty comes as the global outlook darkens — both in economic and geopolitical terms.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Blocking the sunlight also darkens his living spaces.
—Roxana Popescu, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darkens
Verb
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Not explained is whether Makary would be happier if drug companies placed ads with immobile patients, frowns, and funereal music.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Ken’yaku, a commitment to frugality, is detectable in a corporate culture that frowns on perks or frills.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Estevie’s voice resonates throughout that lush blend of cumbia-pop, and leaves an impression that lingers long after the music fades.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
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Like all sugar rushes, the high fades fast and you’re left with a stomachache.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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However, the headline advance obscures the weakness below the surface, a growing concern for investors.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
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For the next few minutes, the tree obscures at least one of the men.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The film centered on the Environmental Protection Agency encasing the Simpsons’ hometown of Springfield in a dome after Homer taints the area’s water supply.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Food insecurity undermines the legitimacy of affected states, intensifies the competition over scarce resources, and lowers the opportunity cost of violence.—
ARIF HUSAIN,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Nov. 2025
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Predictability lowers stress hormones and builds the sense of security that forms the foundation of resilience.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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What starts as a cathartic process spirals out-of-control, as the line between justice and madness blurs.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
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Best Hotels & Resorts The Calile Hotel Designed by acclaimed architects Richards and Spence, The Calile’s 175 rooms are framed by subtropical landscaping that blurs the line between indoors and out.—
Alli Forde,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Deadly holiday weekend mars broad crime drop The back-and-forth followed a Labor Day weekend of deadly violence in Chicago worse than in the previous two years, with seven people shot to death, according to preliminary Chicago Police Department reports.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
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Valuing a project at cost of production rather than value in an arm’s length sale—common in all economic statistics—especially mars Chinese data.—
Bill Conerly,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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What could pass as a city transit map stares back at you.—
William O'Connor,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
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In the picture, Diplo makes a silly face while Trudeau stares straight into the camera.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Darkens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darkens. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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