darkened; darkening
ˈdär-kə-niŋ 
1
: to grow dark : become obscured
the skies were darkening
2
: to become gloomy
his mood darkened
1
: to make dark
2
: to make less clear : obscure
the financial crisis darkened the future of the company
4
: to cast a gloom over
5
: to make of darker color
Examples of darken in a Sentence
The sky darkened and it started to rain.
Her face darkens to a deep red when she gets angry.
The wood will darken as it ages.
The bad news darkened his mood.
The last days of her life were darkened by illness.
His mood darkened after he heard the bad news.
Recent Examples on the Web
Unlike a total eclipse, where the moon completely blocks the sun, a partial eclipse does not darken the sky significantly.
—
Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
In the 2000s, her hair darkened, appearing more dark purple than red, with her makeup turning cooler with neutral-toned browns (see: VH1’s Save The Music Foundation in 2003).
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 21 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
Pigments darken the lashes, while oils and waxes help thicken them and give your lashes a boost of volume.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for darken
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Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
In the 2000s, her hair darkened, appearing more dark purple than red, with her makeup turning cooler with neutral-toned browns (see: VH1’s Save The Music Foundation in 2003).
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 21 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
Pigments darken the lashes, while oils and waxes help thicken them and give your lashes a boost of volume.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for darken
Cite this Entry
“Darken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/darken. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
darken
verb
dark·en
ˈdär-kən
darkened; darkening
ˈdärk-(ə-)niŋ
1
: to make or grow dark or darker
the sky darkened
2
: to make or become gloomy or forbidding
her face darkened in anger
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