Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
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.

Down go the lights inside Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, an overhead galaxy replaced by darkness.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

The fort immediately surrendered, the night’s darkness having “proved to be the attackers’ greatest ally, because it heightened the royalists’ fear of the unknown.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

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

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

It’s nice to know that there are still corners of the internet bright enough to cast away the darkness that often feels suffocating.

From Salon • Apr. 12, 2026

Immediately we blew into the darkness and the ride was madness.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen

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!