as in dark
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
a darkening sky that seemed to match our downcast spirits
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in frowning
to take on a gloomy or forbidding look
his face slowly darkened as we told him the sad news
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fading
to grow dark
the sky darkened as a storm moved in
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3
as in obscuring
to make dark, dim, or indistinct
years of accumulated grime have darkened the painting until it can barely be seen
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4
as in marring
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
the scandal darkened his otherwise sterling reputation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of darkening
Ian Bremmer, Time, 14 Sep. 2025
Flowers are typically pale blue to lavender, darkening along the midrib and toward the tip of each petal.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
Check the butter for signs of spoiling, including darkening, a foul odor, and/or a sour taste.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
By the time the Nashville five piece took the Grandstand stage, the temperature had dipped below 80 degrees and the darkening skies took on a purple shade.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 22 Aug. 2025
The mood is darkening on Main Street, too.
—Matt Egan, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
Colorado's economic outlook is darkening as federal policies cast a shadow over the state's financial future, according to two fresh forecasts from legislative economists and the governor's office.
—Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025
We were captivated by the main character facing a darkening world with youthful joyfulness and optimism.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2025
What is certain, from the darkening findings of climate science, is that climate change calls for a bold remake of the global energy system of the sort that both Clack and Jacobson have championed.
—IEEE Spectrum, 19 June 2017
Verb
But the bigger picture for Iran’s oil revenue is darkening as other potential buyers hang back.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 14 Sep. 2025
Flowers are typically pale blue to lavender, darkening along the midrib and toward the tip of each petal.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
Check the butter for signs of spoiling, including darkening, a foul odor, and/or a sour taste.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
By the time the Nashville five piece took the Grandstand stage, the temperature had dipped below 80 degrees and the darkening skies took on a purple shade.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 22 Aug. 2025
The mood is darkening on Main Street, too.
—Matt Egan, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
Colorado's economic outlook is darkening as federal policies cast a shadow over the state's financial future, according to two fresh forecasts from legislative economists and the governor's office.
—Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025
We were captivated by the main character facing a darkening world with youthful joyfulness and optimism.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2025
What is certain, from the darkening findings of climate science, is that climate change calls for a bold remake of the global energy system of the sort that both Clack and Jacobson have championed.
—IEEE Spectrum, 19 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darkening
Adjective
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Interestingly, Lorraine has taught Judy to ward off her frightening visions by using a nursery rhyme, effectively teaching her to suppress her dark side.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The Dolphins wear white jerseys at home for afternoon games, forcing opponents to wear darker colors that absorb more heat.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This revealed that, even as the X-ray emissions of 4U 1630-472 were fading, the system was still ejecting material at an incredible 20 million mph (32 million kph) — about 3% the speed of light, and 15,000 times faster than the top speed of an F-16 jet fighter!—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
All of these weaknesses are either gone or fading fast.—
Michael Foster,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The distance blur can also be dramatic, obscuring your view of what’s to come and essentially hiding its beauty.—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Then there’s a period where addiction is obscuring whatever that initial wound is.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Boston comes in with three straight losses marring otherwise agreeable vibes.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Yes, there are good reasons to question NASA's long-term plans for the Artemis lunar program—the woeful cost of the Space Launch System rocket, the complexity of new commercial landers, and a bleak budget outlook.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
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That's rather bleak, while Charlie Sheen's life has just been bonkers.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When you're stuck staring at a blank page, your brain fills the space with doubt.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Gen Z is staring up from the bottom of the corporate ladder, but with AI job automation and economic headwinds, the prospect of landing a job—let alone climbing the greasy pole—is more daunting than ever.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Each footstep sent up clouds of dust and ash, coating everything, including my mouth and teeth, in fine grit, blackening my snot and saliva.—
River Selby
August 25,
Literary Hub,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Oily to combination skin types can rejoice—blurring pigments combine with oil-absorbing kaolin clay for a long-lasting mattifying effect.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
15 Sep. 2025
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Supermodel Elton Ilirjani walked the runway, emphasizing the inclusive, boundary-blurring nature of Han’s collection.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Darkening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darkening. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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