dark 1 of 2

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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

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noun

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
Looking in a lot of dark corners, so Reddit and 4chan, and then changing my algorithm. Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025 Combining neutral tones colors—including the basics as well as trendy darker shades of burgundy and olive green—following the sandwich technique means exponentially increasing your wardrobe's versatility. Teresa Romero Martínez, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
Industrial applications: Construction projects and other industries that typically slow down after dark could potentially operate around the clock. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 4 Mar. 2025 Her timing’s great, and my character’s a little dark, a little more serious. Okla Jones, Essence, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dark
Adjective
  • For some die-hard devotees, the actress’s Colombian heritage disqualified her from playing the fantasy princess, described as having hair as black as ebony and skin as white as snow.
    Katcy Stephan, Variety, 15 Mar. 2025
  • After signing autographs and posing for photos at O’Hare, Blagojevich landed in Denver and then hopped into a black SUV with two of his attorneys to report to the prison — with a camera-toting helicopter tracking his movement and the image streamed live on TV websites.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Voters were also asked to give one word to describe the Democratic Party, and the responses were bleak.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Outside of the December slide, this is as bleak as it’s looked for the Rangers this season.
    Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • After several minutes the second officer came and, again, Pike kept silent.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The event will also include silent and live auctions, delicious food and drink, and joyous community, according to a news release.
    Encinitas Advocate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • That would be Mark Rylance as Henry’s lord privy seal, Thomas Cromwell, an endlessly fascinating and ambiguous figure—brilliant, scheming, moral—whom Rylance animates with gravity and kaleidoscopic skill.
    Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2025
  • An unlikely ally to Tanner and Luca as tensions rise, but loyalties remain ambiguous.
    Martine Paris, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Another director might have shied away from such minutiae or worse, be completely ignorant of them.
    Josh Weiss, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Consider that Mahmoud Khalil, an anti-war protester and recent graduate of Columbia University, was arrested on a Saturday night by ICE agents who appeared ignorant of his status as a legal U.S. resident and his rights thereof.
    Nisha Whitehead, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • She was set to flee the country to escape the clutches of an ancient evil empress who happened to be her wicked stepmother.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • No country will afford to regimes which practice racial discrimination assistance which in its own judgment directly contributes to the pursuit or consolidation of this evil policy.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Castillo performed small open-mic nights at restaurants and clubs in Brixton, often with the Latin alternative artist Desta French, who is Colombian and Italian.
    Suzy Exposito, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The result of all this ingenuity, shoppers said, are restful nights and pain-free mornings.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • From the murky swamp to the kingdom of Duloc, Shrek has captured hearts with its wit, adventures and hilarious dialogue.
    Jane LaCroix, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The charm offensive contrasted with DOGE's murky blitz through the federal government in the last two months, which has resulted in mass layoffs and entire agencies being effectively shuttered.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dark. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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