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
One look at his lone, dark face in his Brighton High class picture tells you. —Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025 In pictures shared on Sunday, Aug. 10, Bieber wore a bright yellow sweatshirt, while the Rhode founder, 28, sported a white shirt and dark jeans. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
The chocolate is a custom blend of milk and dark that gives it a sharper flavor. —David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025 Younger employees would flag in his wake as Lauder would visit store after store almost from dawn to dark, speaking with retail executives and customers to find out what the latest trends were. —Pete Born, Footwear News, 15 June 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. night
Adjective
  • In the dim lights of a Nashville bar or the buzz of a dorm social, a seemingly innocent sip can turn sinister if someone has access to your drink.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Big groups often dine under the dim lights while toasting martinis and Manhattans, but there’s a romantic air throughout (and a spartan little bar in the back).
    — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2025
Definition of dim
Adjective
  • Havaianas Keys flip-flop, in black, which was decked out with silver keys along the straps.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 5 Aug. 2025
  • The all-star Back to the Beginning concert, which reportedly raised more than $190 million for charities, included Osbourne playing five songs from his solo career and four more with his original Sabbath bandmates while seated on a black throne.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 5 Aug. 2025
Definition of black
Adjective
  • Directed by Paul Schrader with a script by Bret Easton Ellis, this spiritually bleak L.A. drama features Lohan’s most daring performance, and probably the only one that manages to break completely with her childhood and adolescent roles.
    — Tom Gliatto, People.com, 9 Aug. 2025
  • The situation is bleak enough that, even if aid increases rapidly in the coming weeks, deaths from starvation are almost certain to rise.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2025
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • But being silent and withdrawn is certainly not helpful either.
    — Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Millions of Americans are ashamed of our country and our president but are either cowed or silent about stopping the eroding of our democracy.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
Definition of silent
Adjective
  • Whether the death was self-inflicted or by accident is ambiguous.
    — Bryan West, The Tennessean, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The Supreme Court’s Loper Bright decision eliminated Chevron deference, sharply curtailing agencies’ ability to interpret ambiguous laws.
    — AJ Dhaliwal, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • Joe is willfully ignorant—to national news and a lethal pandemic—but Aster didn’t write the character as a one-dimensional MAGA standee.
    — Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 17 July 2025
  • Yet Americans are surprisingly ignorant about our past.
    — John C. Goodman, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Definition of ignorant
Adjective
  • As Wednesday processes this, the evil one-eyed crow shows up and flies off with her evidence in its beak.
    — Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Ed and Lorraine had contact with the most vile and evil entities tied to those objects.
    — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2025
Definition of evil
Noun
  • The lefty did more than bounce back, retiring 15 straight at one point and ending the night having allowed just one hit and one run.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2025
  • At some point — hopefully on Tuesday night or Wednesday during the day — Comedy Central and Paramount+ will confirm when Season 27, Episode 3 will air.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Definition of night

Phrases Containing dark

Browse Nearby Words

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 22 Aug. 2025.

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