darken

verb

dark·​en ˈdär-kən 
darkened; darkening ˈdär-kə-niŋ 
Synonyms of darken

intransitive verb

1
: to grow dark : become obscured
the skies were darkening
2
: to become gloomy
his mood darkened

transitive verb

1
: to make dark
2
: to make less clear : obscure
the financial crisis darkened the future of the company
3
: taint, tarnish
darkened his reputation
4
: to cast a gloom over
5
: to make of darker color
darkener
ˈdär-kə-nər 
noun

Synonyms of darken

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The stream will feature real-time views of the Sturgeon Moon as Earth's shadow darkens its surface in the skies above Portugal and Spain, weather permitting. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026 The planet becomes easier to identify as the sky darkens, making the best time for viewing during the late-night and early-morning hours. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026 However, they can be ordered with Transitions lenses that darken outdoors and clear up inside. — Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 The title references Black Like Me, white journalist John Howard Griffin’s 1961 nonfiction book about darkening his skin to pass for Black in the Jim Crow South. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for darken

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of darken was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing darken

Rhymes for darken

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Browse Nearby Words

dark current
darken
darkener
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Cite this Entry

“Darken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/darken. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Kids 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
darkener
ˈdärk-(ə-)nər 
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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