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

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
There were simple wooden tables and chairs spread out with plenty of room, and big windows let in a lot of natural light, which kept it from feeling too dark or heavy. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026 Speaking with Variety at Series Mania, Aubert discussed balancing dark humor with violence, shaping the series and developing a visual language. —Jd Linville, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
As of March, the lights will be on in perpetuity but mostly visible after dark. —Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Mar. 2026 Jupiter will be high in the south just after dark. —Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026 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. shadows
Adjective
  • Paula notices that every time her husband leaves the house, the lights in the home dim minutes later.
    — Emma Bowman, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
  • This will render research, innovation and societal advances as dim, undetectable versions of themselves, restricting the country’s ability to lead globally in addressing the most pressing issues of our times.
    — Jane M. Saks, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of dim
Adjective
  • Images shared online by local media outlets showed a black cloud of smoke rising from a field where the plane crashed, and a truck with soldiers rushing to the site.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Inside, one by one, the men picked up black markers to write their information on a white slate and waited to face the camera.
    — Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of black
Adjective
  • What’s great about Grayson’s story is that things were looking pretty bleak before the Bananas rolled into town about a decade ago.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The future looks bleak for non-power conferences and uncertain for Big East, Big 12 and ACC, too.
    — Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • Imogen Poots stars as silent film star Gloria Swanson, who had a passionate affair with Joe Kennedy Sr.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
  • With the help of a silent backer, the designer establishes Schiaparelli Pour le Sport at 4 rue de la Paix.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
Definition of silent
Adjective
  • Language that humans easily understand can be too ambiguous for machines, especially when multiple objects look similar.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Was there any thought of ending there and leaving what happens next ambiguous?
    — Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • Across Southern California, e-bike popularity has soared, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic — with a disportionate number of young riders ignorant or ignoring the rules of the road, authorities say, leading to crashes and in some cases fatalities.
    — Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Having access to knowledge and being able to collectively reflect are rights too precious to surrender to those who prefer us ignorant.
    — Megan Thiele Strong, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of ignorant
Adjective
  • After tracking it down almost two decades later, Prince Adam is whisked back across space to defend his home planet against the evil forces of Skeletor.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Black is reprising his role as the sassy, if evil, Bowser in the sequel.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Definition of evil
Noun
  • After the crew answers a distress signal and brings an alien life form back with them, their vessel becomes a trap, its corridors narrowing as the creature moves through the shadows.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The love described is classical in tone, so tragically all-consuming and full of shadows that to listen on an iPhone seems almost profane.
    — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of shadows

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 29 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of dark for Spanish Speakers

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