dark 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdärk How to pronounce dark (audio)
Definition of darknext
1
as in dim
being without light or without much light a dark alley that most people wisely avoided

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2
as in black
not having a light complexion he was tall, dark, and handsome

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3
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer her mind was filled with dark thoughts until the results of the medical test came back as negative

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4
as in silent
given to keeping one's activities hidden from public observation or knowledge the actor was always quite dark about his life before his arrival in Hollywood

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5
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning the superhero was not daunted by the villain's dark threats

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6
as in ignorant
lacking in education or the knowledge gained from books is known as a dark period in European history when people lived in ignorance, fear, and want

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7
as in evil
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable dark deeds that resulted in the Russian czar being known to history as Ivan the Terrible

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dark

2 of 2

noun

1
as in shadows
a time or place of little or no light I have a bad habit of running into tables in the dark

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2
as in night
the time from sunset to sunrise when there is no visible sunlight we were going to wait until dark to go trick-or-treating

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word dark different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of dark are ambiguous, cryptic, enigmatic, equivocal, obscure, and vague. While all these words mean "not clearly understandable," dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.

muttered dark hints of revenge

In what contexts can ambiguous take the place of dark?

The meanings of ambiguous and dark largely overlap; however, ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.

an ambiguous directive

When might cryptic be a better fit than dark?

While in some cases nearly identical to dark, cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.

cryptic hints of hidden treasure

When could enigmatic be used to replace dark?

The synonyms enigmatic and dark are sometimes interchangeable, but enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality.

enigmatic occult writings

When can equivocal be used instead of dark?

The words equivocal and dark are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading.

moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

When is obscure a more appropriate choice than dark?

In some situations, the words obscure and dark are roughly equivalent. However, obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.

obscure poems

When would vague be a good substitute for dark?

While the synonyms vague and dark are close in meaning, vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration.

a vague sense of obligation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dark
Adjective
There are six finishes to choose from, including lighter and darker wood options. —Jamie Fischer, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2025 The director also brought out Lorraine's rosemary beads, a signature of the character to help banish dark spirits. —EW.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
Look above east after dark for four bright stars, which are easy to spot in urban skies thanks to their brightness and distinctive shape. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025 Remove wildlife feeders or only put enough food in them for wildlife to finish before dark. —C. A. Bridges, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dark
  1. dim
  2. black
  3. bleak
  4. silent
  5. ambiguous
  6. ignorant
  7. evil
  8. shadows
Adjective
  • Gone were the days when students arrived on campus with dim memories of high school civics.
    — Sam Wineburg, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2025
  • BofA sees dim employment prospects for young workers in the medium term, given uncertainty from the new tariffs regime, the adoption of AI, and the general drag on entry-level positions.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2025
Definition of dim
Adjective
  • Justin, meanwhile, leaned into the moment in a nostalgic, game day fit, wearing a white tank top, red and black Nahmias track pants, a gray and black striped min beanie, and platform Skylrk slipper shoes.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2025
  • On the first Friday under the lights of the Texas high school football stadium, Aledo fans donning the orange and black and packed the stands to see their Bearcats compete.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2025
Definition of black
Adjective
  • In the 1970s, science fiction took a decidedly bleak turn in parallel with the changing shape of global politics and public opinion.
    — Nick Foster August 26, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2025
  • This administration’s notion is something bleaker—that the country should simply care less.
    — Lois Parshley, The Atlantic, 25 Aug. 2025
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez appears destined for free agency as contract talks are reportedly completely silent.
    — Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • As foreign dignitaries descend in Beijing this week, the conflicting narratives on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are a reminder that eight decades after Japan's surrender, the guns may be silent, but the battle over the legacy of the war is far from over.
    — Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Definition of silent
Adjective
  • The first three episodes currently streaming on Paramount+ reveal that the Tiva dynamic remains as ambiguous as ever.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The term has become both expansive and ambiguous.
    — Lauren Buitta, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • Any suggestion that this is some kind of victory for Combs is ignorant.
    — KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
  • In this case, the problem is ethics in the medical profession, as young doctor Andrew Manson (Robert Donat) moves from idealism to disillusionment and back again when faced with ignorant patients who are skeptical of his conclusions, economic hardship, and crooked colleagues.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2025
Definition of ignorant
Adjective
  • The actor then went on to star as Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, playing the evil father of Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) first in 2002's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets before returning for multiple movies throughout the franchise.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • Wearing a Hawaiian shirt and yellow beanie, Yanesa is dressed up as Abby, a member of Saja Boys, the evil boy band that's out to destroy the heroic girl band, HUNTR/X.
    — Chloe Veltman, NPR, 24 Aug. 2025
Definition of evil
Noun
  • But the broadening of their investor base – from institutional investors to high-net-worth individuals to, eventually, 401(k)s – has ushered alternative asset managers out of the shadows.
    — Leslie Picker, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Nearly four decades after its release, Labyrinth continues to captivate not just because of its dazzling visuals or iconic performances, but because of the emotional truths buried beneath its whimsy and shadows.
    — Logan Karlie September 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
Definition of shadows

Phrases Containing dark

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daringness
dark
dark age
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Cite this Entry

“Dark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dark. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

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