dark 1 of 3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dark

2 of 3

noun (1)

darkness

3 of 3

noun (2)

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as in nighttime
the time from sunset to sunrise when there is no visible sunlight let's wait for darkness before telling ghost stories

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in cloud
an overspreading element that produces an atmosphere of gloom the darkness of that period of my life is best forgotten

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Harry, meanwhile, channeled the country theme of the show by wearing his cowboy hat with dark jeans and a gray shirt over a black top. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 10 May 2025 Infected roots turn unnaturally dark and mushy, or even weep. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 May 2025
Noun
In my tests, that translated to offering good color accuracy, contrast, and a sense of three-dimensionality in scenes across the range from dark to mid-tones to bright. PCMAG, 24 Mar. 2025 The lights and darks come preloaded with the drama of film noir, and stoke the mythology of Caravaggio as thuggish prodigy. Jason Farago, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
Shortly after noon on April 28, the whole of Europe's Iberian Peninsula plunged into darkness. Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 16 May 2025 His response was Blue Velvet, a film that reasserted his control and cemented his reputation as a visionary chronicler of suburban darkness. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dark
Adjective
  • The red, blue, and black colors are like Spider-Man’s suit directly on a water bottle.
    Katrina Cossey, Parents, 14 May 2025
  • Again, unlike Carrie, Ortega wore her black hair in a sleek straight blowout, while Carrie’s hair was styled in her blonde wavy hairdo.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • The latest Email Threat Trends Report from VIPRE paints a bleak picture.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Related article Putin just called Trump’s bluff on Ukraine, with the Russian art of the ‘no’ deal Ukraine in 2025 is a bleak prospect.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Plus, each drawer opens and closes smoothly thanks to the silent metal slide construction.
    Bridget Degnan, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025
  • There were silent Sunday night dinners at restaurants and essentially no contact with any extended relatives.
    Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • While critical thinking is invaluable, the tendency to fixate on ambiguous data points—many of which pertain to uncontrollable external factors—can lead to unnecessary stress.
    Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • The two were previously involved in a morally ambiguous mission gone wrong, which led to Vincent murdering an undercover cop.
    Skyler Trepel, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Problematic to be sure, but also a very in-character move for an ignorant buffoon.
    Ben Rosenstock, Time, 6 May 2025
  • But here's a reminder for us: casual cruelty, performed by ignorant fascists.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 5 May 2025
Adjective
  • Will the company itself go rogue and opt to use AGI for evil deeds?
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
  • In an incisive observation of the way that an adult’s words can sometimes settle on a child with unusual weight, I-Jing absorbs this folk superstition without question, and begins to shoplift gaudy trinkets from surrounding market stalls, only ever using her evil left hand.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Its origins are as murky as the exact proportions of the recipe.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 14 May 2025
  • That’s why the outlook for companies like Nvidia — even after recent positive news on chip export controls — remains murky.
    Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • The saw-whets, perhaps intimidated by the larger owl, had gone quiet.
    Brad Dokken, Twin Cities, 10 May 2025
  • It’s been infinitesimally rare, even in his quietest performances, that Jokic has ever actively brought down his team’s chances of winning.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dark. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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