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Definitions

darkness

[dahrk-nis] / ˈdɑrk nɪs /
NOUN
absence of light
Synonyms
STRONGEST
blackness dark dusk gloom night obscurity
STRONG
blackout brownout crepuscule dimness eclipse lightlessness murk murkiness nightfall pitch-darkness shade shadows twilight
WEAK
Cimmerian shade cloudiness smokiness tenebrosity
Antonyms
STRONGEST
brightness light lightness
WEAK
day daylight daytime illumination morning
NOUN
gloom, grimness
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bleakness despair despondency dysphoria gloom grimness melancholy morbidity negativity
STRONG
depression misery moroseness
WEAK
doom
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blitheness cheer gaiety lightheartedness lightness optimism
NOUN
concealment, secrecy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
mystery secrecy
STRONG
concealment denseness inscrutability obscurity privacy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
revelation
WEAK
light openness
NOUN
lack of awareness
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ignorance unawareness
STRONG
oblivion
WEAK
seclusion
Antonyms
STRONGEST
awareness enlightenment knowledge
WEAK
illumination

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.

Plants grown in light had much stronger adhesion between these layers than those grown in darkness.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

According to Plutarch, writing nearly five centuries later: “The sun was eclipsed and as darkness descended, everyone was struck with terror, thinking it a portent.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Borgli’s film understands that violence thrives in darkness and that the fear of being judged is what keeps those experiencing difficult, extreme emotions from talking about them.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

During one orbit, Anders captured Earth's brilliant blue hue standing out against the vast darkness of space and accentuated by the desolate, grey lunar horizon in the foreground.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

A shape rose from the floor and loomed behind Kate in the darkness.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Vocabulary lists containing darkness

Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -ness

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