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
Pass the flame over the weed until the foliage darkens.
—
David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 16 May 2026
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
David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 16 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darkens
Verb
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Don’t Kill Reach with External Links Like any business that makes money from advertising, LinkedIn frowns upon directing people away from LinkedIn to another site.—
William Arruda,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Here is our review of a 2025-26 campaign that’s ended with more smiles than frowns.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Jeans then usually go through finishing treatments to create different shades, fades and distressed textures.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
-
Its effectiveness fades quickly outdoors, so combining methods works best.—
Melissa Epifano,
The Spruce,
28 May 2026
Verb
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The narrow prenatal through postpartum window of care approach obscures the broader conditions shaping Black women’s health across their lifespan.—
Jallicia Jolly,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
But that average obscures a steady fall from high deficits, as the decade began, to slight surpluses in fiscal years 1998 through 2001.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2026
Verb
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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
-
Treating obesity preventatively exponentially lowers costlier downstream complications.—
Karen R. Studer,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2026
-
This immediate interaction closes the response loop, leads to faster recovery and lowers liability.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
1 June 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
-
This beefy laptop blurs the line between an elite mobile gaming rig and a local-AI workstation.—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
29 May 2026
-
That doctrine blurs the line between soldier and civilian.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 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 5 Jun. 2026.
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