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
The San Diego Jazz Fest & Swing Extravaganza went dark in 2024, ending — at least for now — its 43-year run. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025 In a joint statement on Jan. 19, when TikTok temporarily went dark and Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft stopped hosting the app, the senators encouraged other companies to do the same. Ahtra Elnashar, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
How To Find Mars In The Night Sky Go outside after dark and look to the east. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 But batteries that bank power for after dark have changed the equation. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for dark 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dark
Adjective
  • Residents also use the avenue to skip traffic on the parallel Marginal Tietê during the morning rush hour, when the crash likely occurred. Footage from the aftermath on Friday showed black clouds of smoke and bright orange flames unfurling over the highway.
    Ana Melgar, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Swift herself opted for Louis Vuitton, clad in the designer’s $5,000 black and gold jacquard knit jacket, with a spark beanie — price $550 — to match,People reported.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • But bleak and uncertain as things seem right now, Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred does not want to lose Tampa Bay, the No. 11 media market, which is why the hope is for a deep pocket owner (or owners) from Tampa to emerge and the Tampa stadium plan near Ybor City can be revived.
    Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2025
  • Suicide is pretty bleak for a Super Bowl spot, and mental health, in general, is a sensitive topic.
    Matthew Pittman, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • And university leaders fearing government investigations, funding cuts, or punitive endowment taxes crack down on campus protest, remove or demote outspoken professors, and remain silent in the face of growing authoritarianism.
    STEVEN LEVITSKY, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The story ends up focusing not on the man who could not remain silent, but on a man who held his tongue.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Their reasoning is ambiguous and the move is likely to put moderate Republicans facing reelection in swing districts in an uncomfortable position.
    Lee Hamilton, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Executive orders have nearly always been legally ambiguous.
    Meredith Conroy, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Put simply, many Americans are woefully ignorant about the structure and features of their government.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Reading it, one is reminded, once again, that Trump is a politician who is cunning but semiliterate and ignorant.
    Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • After all, how many evil corporations have started because a guy got embarrassed about his wiener in the woods?
    Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Other groups saw them as fires generated by evil sky spirits.
    Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Most are also fragrance-free and can be used daily, both morning and night.
    Devon Abelman, Allure, 11 Feb. 2025
  • With the clock ticking, Ray has one night to get his unsuspecting family out of the city before he gets snuffed out.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • But details around the torrenting were murky until yesterday, when Meta's unredacted emails were made public for the first time.
    Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2025
  • Like most instances when someone decided to put something between two slices of bread and call it a sandwich, its origins are murky.
    Margaret Eby, Bon Appétit, 5 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near dark

Cite this Entry

“Dark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dark. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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