1
as in to frown
to take on a gloomy or forbidding look
his face slowly darkened as we told him the sad news
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to obscure
to make dark, dim, or indistinct
years of accumulated grime have darkened the painting until it can barely be seen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to mar
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
the scandal darkened his otherwise sterling reputation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of darken
The industry is grappling with these logistical hurdles against a backdrop of darkening economic sentiment.
—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2026
The economist Adam Posen on the effect of the war in Iran on the world’s economy and the darkening economic outlook for the United States.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 2026
As the world's largest oil importer and a heavily export-reliant economy, China is vulnerable to an oil shock that's already slowing trade, pushing up factory costs, and darkening the outlook for the rest of the year.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
The staggering human toll in Gaza, ongoing West Bank settlement expansion, another incursion into Lebanon, and a darkening war with Iran eroded support among younger Americans—even as Washington remains Israel’s indispensable security partner.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for darken
Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2026
The economist Adam Posen on the effect of the war in Iran on the world’s economy and the darkening economic outlook for the United States.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 2026
As the world's largest oil importer and a heavily export-reliant economy, China is vulnerable to an oil shock that's already slowing trade, pushing up factory costs, and darkening the outlook for the rest of the year.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
The staggering human toll in Gaza, ongoing West Bank settlement expansion, another incursion into Lebanon, and a darkening war with Iran eroded support among younger Americans—even as Washington remains Israel’s indispensable security partner.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for darken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darken
Verb
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Levin has not denied paying for story tips, which is frowned upon by traditional journalism outlets.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Mother frowned, then perked up.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Garments spanning nylon half-zips to French Terry sweatshirts, garments look faded and worn-in and feature hallmarks of denim like whiskers, creases, abrasions and breakages that tell stories of time and use.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
24 Apr. 2026
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It's become the default mode of governing for majorities in Congress as bipartisanship on major issues fades away.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But what exactly happens to these baby stars next isn't always clear (literally) because they are buried deep within clouds of dark, dusty gas that obscure them.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
All of that mythology, though, can obscure the real story.—
Jimmy Jellinek,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Morrison, whose junior season was marred by injury, has been the ringleader.—
Steve Reaven,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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The park's 120th operating season, which kicked off April 3, was marred by several fights between groups of teens, culminating in three arrests.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For a few seconds, everyone at Progressive Field — players, umpires, fans, cotton candy vendors — stared at the video board, awaiting the handy diagram that would determine whether the Cleveland Guardians’ lead was in jeopardy.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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The couple sat in a vestibule inside the Aurora immigration detention facility on a Saturday in March, staring at each other through the glass barrier separating the incarcerated from the free.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The park is open from daylight to dusk for visitors and 24/7 for campers.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
15 Jan. 2026
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Its hours are from dawn to dusk every day of the year.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Martinez is throwing some blurs these days after returning this season following Tommy John surgery in June 2024.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Two of Horner's former teachers – both requesting their faces be blurred – delivered some of the most emotional testimony of the day.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Naturally, trouble spoils the crew’s relaxation in the form of an ocean princess named Yura (Allegra Clark; Saoiri Onishi) on the run from baddies Zodon (Christopher Corey Smith; Koichi Domoto) and Djeese (Yuri Lowenthal; Koji Yusa).—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
1 May 2026
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Cincy spoiled the shutout in the ninth off reliever Jimmy Herget when Will Benson tagged him for a two-run homer.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Darken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darken. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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