1
as in darkened
being without light or without much light
a dark alley that most people wisely avoided
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2
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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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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1
as in dark
a time or place of little or no light
the raiding party snuck up under cover of darkness
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2
as in ambiguity
the quality or state of having a veiled or uncertain meaning
the darkness of certain passages in the Book of Revelation
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3
as in nighttime
the time from sunset to sunrise when there is no visible sunlight
let's wait for darkness before telling ghost stories
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dark
Greg Evans, Deadline, 3 June 2025
Ortega's short nails were painted a very on-brand dark cherry red in a similar shade as her soft ombré lined lip; her lips were lined with a warm dark brick shade and a light rose color inside.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 2 June 2025
Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Kevin wore a pretty classic dark wash denim on denim look with his wife and daughter in the city.
—Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 24 Mar. 2025
Matt Morris, Space.com, 25 May 2025
Depriving people of their senses, like putting them in total darkness, or in a room without sound, is known as sensory deprivation, and it’s regarded as a form of torture.
—Dobromir Rahnev, The Conversation, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dark
Adjective
Opening April 8, 2026 A blind date spirals spectacularly off the rails in Becky Shaw, the razor-sharp dark comedy from two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Gina Gionfriddo.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 3 June 2025
Ortega's short nails were painted a very on-brand dark cherry red in a similar shade as her soft ombré lined lip; her lips were lined with a warm dark brick shade and a light rose color inside.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 2 June 2025
Noun
With his supernatural expertise, Harry must navigate Chicago’s dark underbelly to stop the killer before more victims are claimed, all while dealing with the dangerous creatures and forces that lurk in the shadows.
—Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Kevin wore a pretty classic dark wash denim on denim look with his wife and daughter in the city.
—Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 24 Mar. 2025
Noun
Ultra-powerful focusing IR illuminator offers effective viewing distance up to 400m in total darkness.
—Matt Morris, Space.com, 25 May 2025
Depriving people of their senses, like putting them in total darkness, or in a room without sound, is known as sensory deprivation, and it’s regarded as a form of torture.
—Dobromir Rahnev, The Conversation, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dark
Adjective
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Travis Decker description Police described Travis Decker as a white man with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5'8'', and weighing 190 pounds.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
-
Hudson’s Newport Beach TV Festival look follows a recent trend of celebrities putting their own respective spin on the little black dress.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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At the same time, others who attended this year’s California Democratic Party Convention dismissed any notion that the future of the Democratic Party is bleak.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
31 May 2025
-
The early options on the GOP side are bleak: Neither Donalds nor Casey DeSantis, the governor’s wife who’s said to be interested in succeeding him, is the moderate Florida so desperately needs now.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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While the Trump administration was silent on the details of the document, a New York Times report described it as merely a list of bullet points, not a full draft, citing four officials familiar with the negotiations.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
1 June 2025
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Proenza Schouler leans toward a silent gesture with its mint green terry dress.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
Without a clear roadmap, friendship breakups often feel ambiguous, or sometimes lead to unnecessary hurt.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
-
The Food and Drug Administration’s April 22 news release contains some ambiguous language.—
Andrea Ruth,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
Simone, still at the hospital, remains blissfully ignorant of Kiki’s vengeful turn.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
-
Conservative media, once a proud home to voices like Charles Krauthammer, Jonah Goldberg, and Bill Kristol, now platforms ignorant Trump sycophants who have no use for conservative principles — or principles of any kind.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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While Disney hasn’t revealed Starfighter’s plot, THR adds that the film revolves around Gosling’s character protecting a young charge against evil pursuers, one of whom is Goth.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
7 June 2025
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These dedicated warriors certainly earn our admiration in the good/evil binary of the conflict, but complications help give the documentary shape, as in the attention given a crusty logger named Valdir, who agreed to be featured on camera.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Since President Donald Trump took office, at least half of the security council's staff have been laid off or left, and the future of BARDA is murky.—
Amy Maxmen,
ABC News,
6 June 2025
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But whether federal or state politicians could foil a Trump settlement is murky.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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The drama division had been relatively quiet for a period but suddenly found its stride in the past year with a string of buzzy commissions that will now mostly air under new leadership.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
3 June 2025
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The home of about 400 year-round residents, who include fishermen and lobstermen, it’s long been a haven for those seeking peace, quiet and an escape from the heat, a world away from Portland.—
Everett Potter,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dark. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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