as in dark
being without light or without much light
wanting to surprise her, we waited in the darkened room for her to get home before calling out "happy birthday"
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in frowned
to take on a gloomy or forbidding look
his face slowly darkened as we told him the sad news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in obscured
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 marred
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 darkened
Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
As scientists often find darkened teeth in ancient burials, other factors can contribute to a black appearance, notably the chewing of betel leaves.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui posted a video to X over the weekend, showing a dazzling view of auroras spreading like a tall blanket over the darkened Earth below.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Over the weekend, around 16,000 people paid their respects to the designer at his funeral chamber at the Armani Teatro designed by Tadao Ando, filled with white flowers and paper lanterns on the floor in a diagonal grid formation dimly lit up the darkened venue.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly darkened and sticky, 2–3 minutes.
—Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Apr. 2026
Sprinkle with flour; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant and flour has darkened in color, 1 to 2 minutes.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
The sound box had a teardrop shape, just a couple of inches deep, with a golden-brown polyurethane finish that darkened to black at the edges.
—Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026
The managing director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, said it had been prepared to upgrade global growth, but the Iran war has now darkened the outlook for the world economy.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Its flowers bloomed white in the spring, and its green summer leaves darkened to a reddish-purple hue in the fall.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026
Glossy, blonde waves perfectly frame her face, and her blue eyes, now darkened, smolder at the camera.
—Brooke Migdon, PEOPLE, 30 Mar. 2026
The room can quickly be darkened, however, with the flick of a curtain switch.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
In the darkened foyer, Ember contemplated this unassuming bit of paper, momentarily paralyzed by a mixture of dread and excitement stirred together, an overpowering sensation that oozed from the crown of her head, down the length of her body, then hardened, like a soft golden resin becoming solid.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
As scientists often find darkened teeth in ancient burials, other factors can contribute to a black appearance, notably the chewing of betel leaves.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui posted a video to X over the weekend, showing a dazzling view of auroras spreading like a tall blanket over the darkened Earth below.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Over the weekend, around 16,000 people paid their respects to the designer at his funeral chamber at the Armani Teatro designed by Tadao Ando, filled with white flowers and paper lanterns on the floor in a diagonal grid formation dimly lit up the darkened venue.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
None of the allegations that have since darkened the icon’s star are mentioned at all.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly darkened and sticky, 2–3 minutes.
—Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Apr. 2026
Sprinkle with flour; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant and flour has darkened in color, 1 to 2 minutes.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
The sound box had a teardrop shape, just a couple of inches deep, with a golden-brown polyurethane finish that darkened to black at the edges.
—Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026
The managing director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, said it had been prepared to upgrade global growth, but the Iran war has now darkened the outlook for the world economy.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Its flowers bloomed white in the spring, and its green summer leaves darkened to a reddish-purple hue in the fall.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026
Glossy, blonde waves perfectly frame her face, and her blue eyes, now darkened, smolder at the camera.
—Brooke Migdon, PEOPLE, 30 Mar. 2026
The room can quickly be darkened, however, with the flick of a curtain switch.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darkened
Adjective
-
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 the bedrooms can be found upstairs, including one that’s currently being used as an office and a primary suite flaunting dual dressing rooms and baths, plus a sauna clad in dark gray stone.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
With time, with therapy, with growth, this thing has faded into the past, dissolved into other narratives.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Interest in the discussion faded later in James' career.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The lead truck attempted to contact the tower 40 seconds after the plane was given clearance to ask to cross the runway, but a simultaneous transmission obscured the call.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
23 Apr. 2026
-
For some, the implications of duplicity and obscured identity in the line could well apply to its author—and thereby hangs a tale.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The entire Mets lineup has been marred in an uncharacteristic slump, but in the bottom of the fourth inning on Tuesday night at Citi Field, Juan Soto uncorked a very characteristic home run.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The move comes after the spring-break-reminiscent event has been marred by tragedy and lawlessness in previous years.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But beyond its account of a family in flight, from both the authorities and its own murkier truths, Dangerous, Dirty, Violent and Young interrogates the radicalism of the 1960s and 70s, its unlikely alliances, its political legacies, and its many, many casualties along the way.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Most people have come to terms with that, but things get murkier in the realm of AI.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Chasing Horse, wearing his navy blue Clark County Detention Center uniform, stared straight ahead as victims read their statements.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Add the unpeeled garlic and toast until blackened, about 5 minutes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Loss of valuables in the ruins The exteriors of some buildings remained blackened from the flames.—
Kanis Leung,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Darkened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darkened. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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