black 1 of 3

1
as in ebony
having the color of soot or coal we adopted a little black kitten

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2
3
as in brunette
not having a light complexion a black Irishman, Tyrone Power had the classic looks of a Hollywood leading man

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black

2 of 3

noun

black

3 of 3

verb

chiefly British

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 black
Adjective
With that line, Harris was nodding to Shirley Chisholm, who in 1972 was the first black woman to campaign for a Presidential nomination. Cassidy Randall, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025 Madison kicked off the race to the Oscars in a red custom Prada, and dabbled in haute couture in a black Schiaparelli skirt and bra set at the Gotham Awards. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
Take your pick from black to mocha to crisp, winter white. Taylor Jean Stephan, Peoplemag, 31 Jan. 2023 Flaunt this fun, floral style, or opt for their best-selling classic black. Meg Donohue, Town & Country, 31 Jan. 2023 See All Example Sentences for black
Recent Examples of Synonyms for black
Adjective
  • Other significant details in the home include crown moldings, an original mahogany front door, decorative wall coverings and ebony hardwood floors throughout.
    Lauryn Azu, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2025
  • Find it a home with ebony floors and a navy wall that sets it apart in just the right way.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Los Angeles and San Diego, which have missed out on more than 5 inches of typical rain since October, should see soaking rain after dark.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
  • While it’s been nearly a decade since Markle was seen on the small screen, Rachel and her wardrobe remain as relevant as ever—especially with dark academia trending in fashion.
    Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In its time open, fueled by fans of its blackened mahi and buttery lobster rolls, owner Mike Smith has expanded his footprint, moving into a larger stall in the popular food hall — which has allowed for a menu expansion, as well.
    Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2022
  • There are no glamorous furnishings — just a French window, its blackened panes suggesting the dark of night.
    Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2022
Noun
  • Passengers experience a few minutes of weightlessness during this stretch and get to see Earth against the blackness of space.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Vega, one of the brightest stars in the night sky, shone above the horizon, brilliant against the blackness.
    Nicholas J. R. White Kat Hill, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Tesla Takedown protests are aimed at hurting the value of Tesla, the primary source of Musk's wealth, by encouraging people to boycott the company, Costa said.
    Bobby Allyn, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Whole Foods’s popular Berry Chantilly cake had a recipe switch in September that cult followers were quick to notice and boycott.
    Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The racks of fox, mink and Mongolian at booths, including the Igala NYC and the Jennie Walker Archive, which was selling a sable coat for $2,495, were swarmed by shoppers, many already wearing fur.
    Dolly Faibyshev, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
  • What felt like a Cinderella story at the start is exposed as a Faustian bargain with a sable coat thrown in.
    Lily Burana, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The saturated bright colors of Corina’s clothing contrast with the muted, mostly gray colors of the publishing house’s offices.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025
  • In the clip, the mom of three could be seen wearing green leggings and a gray zip-up hoodie, pushing a black stroller that fully covered her baby daughter inside.
    Hannah Sacks, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Elements of her can be found on Lioness in Zoe Saldaña’s Joe McNamara, a CIA operative trying to save the world from the swarthy — terrorists in Season One, Mexican cartels in Season Two — while raising two girls.
    Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Jett Rink was a really malevolent varmint, and kind of swarthy and dark.
    Jeff Conway, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Black.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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