darkens

VERB

become shaded, unlit

Synonyms

STRONGEST

blacken dim eclipse obscure overshadow

STRONG

becloud bedim deepen fog gray haze murk obfuscate overcast shade shadow

WEAK

cloud over cloud up make dim tone down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

lighten

STRONG

clear up

WEAK

brighten illuminate whiten

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The expansion of plant life darkens the snow and ice, reducing its reflectivity and causing the surrounding area to warm up, triggering ice and snow melt.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2026

At some point, the room darkens, and the crowd watches the jacket glow — she becomes a bioluminescent creature in human form.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

Slowly, the surface darkens into something deeply golden, edged in amber, the fat rendering and crisping, the spice blooming in the oil.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

Space weathering, caused by solar wind particles, micrometeorite impacts, and cosmic radiation, slowly darkens exposed material.

From Science Daily • Apr. 8, 2026

My world darkens when the thought that they might be dead enters my mind.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung