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
Its charming glow is often visible even before the sky fully darkens, which is so fitting and poetic when considering both the planetary and astrological essence of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Without an atmosphere, the surface would be especially vulnerable to this process, known as space weathering, which gradually breaks down and darkens rock.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 May 2026
As the song ticks past the 20-minute mark, Goldie’s voice gets increasingly desperate and the music darkens.
—Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 2 May 2026
As Europe's political climate darkens against refugees, asylum seekers and economic migrants, with governments including that of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni focusing resources on limiting new arrivals, Milan is taking a stand for a different approach.
—Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 23 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
This higher temperature darkens the paste, slightly caramelizes the sugar, and deactivates enzymes that would otherwise break down pectin, resulting in a thicker, more cooked-tasting product.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
Every night from January 2 – 4, the super Wolf Moon can be seen in the eastern sky as the sky darkens, rising higher and moving southward as midnight draws near, according to BBC Sky at Night Magazine.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Ash-like material darkens the air, coming out of the giant cracks in the world Vecna ripped open by using the lives of four people, including the now-comatose Max, to open four gates from the Upside Down.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 26 Nov. 2025
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Without an atmosphere, the surface would be especially vulnerable to this process, known as space weathering, which gradually breaks down and darkens rock.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 May 2026
As the song ticks past the 20-minute mark, Goldie’s voice gets increasingly desperate and the music darkens.
—Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 2 May 2026
As Europe's political climate darkens against refugees, asylum seekers and economic migrants, with governments including that of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni focusing resources on limiting new arrivals, Milan is taking a stand for a different approach.
—Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 23 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
This higher temperature darkens the paste, slightly caramelizes the sugar, and deactivates enzymes that would otherwise break down pectin, resulting in a thicker, more cooked-tasting product.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
Every night from January 2 – 4, the super Wolf Moon can be seen in the eastern sky as the sky darkens, rising higher and moving southward as midnight draws near, according to BBC Sky at Night Magazine.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Ash-like material darkens the air, coming out of the giant cracks in the world Vecna ripped open by using the lives of four people, including the now-comatose Max, to open four gates from the Upside Down.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 26 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darkens
Verb
-
Haven frowns upon the data fueling prohibition.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
After the rogue’s gallery is introduced early on, nearly everyone except for Tim, Elliot, and Rebecca fades into the background, although delightfully, Emma Thompson nails her brief comedic role as a brusque solicitor handling George’s last will and testament.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
8 May 2026
-
This weekend, the moon fades toward last quarter, opening up darker skies with each passing night.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
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This narrative, reliably recycled by politicians seeking reelection and economists insulated from everyday pressures, obscures a more complicated reality.—
Gene Ludwig,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
-
In many locations, the brightness of artificial light sources obscures the beauty of the night sky.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The sarcasm taints the question but doesn’t invalidate it.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
-
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
-
Big refiners and the ethanol lobby contend that E15 helps farmers and lowers prices at the pump.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
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That level of accuracy is what triggers panic and lowers your guard.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
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As the salmon blackens in a skillet, the spices awaken, encrusting the fish in peppery piquant.—
The Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The doors are closed on the relationship, the focus blurs.—
Eva Wiseman,
Vogue,
7 May 2026
-
Momentum stalls, focus blurs, energy dissipates, and frustration mounts.—
Stevo Pavićević,
Harvard Business Review,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
No sadness mars the purity of its paranoia.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
-
However, an earnestness mars most of the proceedings.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Darkens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darkens. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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