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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.

The structure brings visitors below ground, from lightness to darkness, with sounds slowly dissipating.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

Under the cover of darkness, the street artist erected a statue on a plinth showing a besuited man walking forward, blinded by a flag covering his face.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

The finale is a ringing collective anthem celebrating having moved through the darkness into the light.

From The Wall Street Journal • 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

I cupped my hands and shouted into the darkness, but the wind was blowing against me and carried my voice away.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell

Vocabulary lists containing darkness

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

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