Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for darkness.
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.

The monarch spoke of his own Christian belief, to loud applause, and his "faith in the triumph of light over darkness" and how that meant understanding other people's religions and beliefs.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

These cells gradually formed a simple, single eye that could detect light and darkness and help the animal sense orientation.

From Science Daily • Apr. 27, 2026

It may be my 83-year-old eyes — maybe somebody younger would not have a problem with this — but the darkness gets to me, so I kept longing to get back to the outside windows.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 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

I blinked as I looked around in the darkness.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

Vocabulary lists containing darkness

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

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!