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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fading
to grow dark
the sky darkened as a storm moved in
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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
That care-free spirit, as the film illustrates, hardly existed in a vacuum, emerging in part as a defiant response to darkening times.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 15 Mar. 2025
As the mood of the play becomes more somber (complete with darkening sky, thunder, rain and wailing guitar), its purpose becomes clear.
—Demetrios Matheou, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
But today, with both private equity and venture capital snared in a distribution drought, there might be a silver lining to darkening economic clouds.
—Dan Primack, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025
In rare cases, melanoma can also lead to these changes, usually darkening the hair in the affected area.
—Angela Haupt, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025
The goal for both the score and the original songs is to effortlessly guide viewers through the darkening emotional undercurrents of each episode.
—Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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
That care-free spirit, as the film illustrates, hardly existed in a vacuum, emerging in part as a defiant response to darkening times.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 15 Mar. 2025
As the mood of the play becomes more somber (complete with darkening sky, thunder, rain and wailing guitar), its purpose becomes clear.
—Demetrios Matheou, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
But today, with both private equity and venture capital snared in a distribution drought, there might be a silver lining to darkening economic clouds.
—Dan Primack, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025
In rare cases, melanoma can also lead to these changes, usually darkening the hair in the affected area.
—Angela Haupt, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025
The goal for both the score and the original songs is to effortlessly guide viewers through the darkening emotional undercurrents of each episode.
—Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for darkening
Adjective
-
Blast off at Baltimore's science fiction convention, see natural beauty envisioned by artists from around the world, take a stroll after dark at the zoo, celebrate Baltimore creatives or go to a legendary concert.—
John Coffren,
Baltimore Sun,
22 May 2025
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His dark worldview is premised on the pessimistic presumption that the world will turn on the Jews if given the chance, which is why the Israeli leader has long prized hard power over diplomatic understandings.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2025
Verb
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That said, the prevailing view of agents remains overly indexed on low-level implementation details, obscuring broader gaps that must be addressed for widespread adoption.—
Egor Pushkin,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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Millions of Americans may have the chance to witness a partial solar eclipse on March 29, when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, temporarily obscuring part of the solar disk.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The latest Email Threat Trends Report from VIPRE paints a bleak picture.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
-
Related article Putin just called Trump’s bluff on Ukraine, with the Russian art of the ‘no’ deal Ukraine in 2025 is a bleak prospect.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Plus, the combination of the stone fireplace and the dark wood cabinets and shelves flanking it contributed to the overall impression of a somber, too-serious space.—
Meghan Holloran,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 May 2025
-
Trump will participate in the traditional wreath-laying ceremony and speak at the cemetery’s amphitheater, in what has been a somber occasion for U.S. presidents.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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The mortality rates of small indie presses and literary journals are a depressing feature of our cultural landscape.—
Michael Washburn,
National Review,
25 May 2025
-
Despite there being ample intrigue and mystery around what happened to Peter's first wife, the truth is pretty depressing.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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The investigation specifically focused on 1,422 fathers who were screened for depressive symptoms when their children were five years old, Schmitz told Newsweek.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 May 2025
-
For every past depressive episode, the likelihood of having another one goes up.—
Carolyn L. Todd,
SELF,
2 May 2025
Verb
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These photovoltaic panels are designed to generate renewable energy on-site, significantly reducing the building’s environmental impact while also lowering its operational costs.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
14 Mar. 2025
-
New Mexico policymakers can improve the state’s economy by lowering tax rates and reducing barriers to work.—
Adam A. Millsap,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Their reasoning is that these products are poisoning Americans.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
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An Aurora dentist accused of fatally poisoning his wife in 2023 allegedly tried to pay a fellow jail inmate $20,000 to kill the case's lead investigator, prosecutors said in court Friday.—
Axios Denver,
Axios,
18 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Darkening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/darkening. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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