dark 1 of 2

Definition of darknext
1
2
as in black
not having a light complexion he was tall, dark, and handsome

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
5
6
7
as in evil
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable dark deeds that resulted in the Russian czar being known to history as Ivan the Terrible

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dark

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word dark different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of dark are ambiguous, cryptic, enigmatic, equivocal, obscure, and vague. While all these words mean "not clearly understandable," dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.

muttered dark hints of revenge

In what contexts can ambiguous take the place of dark?

The meanings of ambiguous and dark largely overlap; however, ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.

an ambiguous directive

When might cryptic be a better fit than dark?

While in some cases nearly identical to dark, cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.

cryptic hints of hidden treasure

When could enigmatic be used to replace dark?

The synonyms enigmatic and dark are sometimes interchangeable, but enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality.

enigmatic occult writings

When can equivocal be used instead of dark?

The words equivocal and dark are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading.

moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

When is obscure a more appropriate choice than dark?

In some situations, the words obscure and dark are roughly equivalent. However, obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.

obscure poems

When would vague be a good substitute for dark?

While the synonyms vague and dark are close in meaning, vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration.

a vague sense of obligation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dark
Adjective
About $20 million of the Bright Future Fund’s 2024 expenditures went to Future Forward USA Action, the main dark money group that bankrolled pro-Harris ads during that year’s election. Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026 Toward the end of the set, a cluster of electrical poles emitted showers of sparks and went dark. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
Other features include the ability to swap out bands and a glow-in-the-dark face for extreme conditions. John Monaco, InStyle, 7 Feb. 2026 Alone in a wooden cabin atop a remote mountain in Utah, hundreds of miles from home, sitting in the overnight dark. Andrew Callahan, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dark
Adjective
  • Those models assumed early galaxies would be small, faint, and rare, leading astronomers to expect only a handful of dim sources that would require tens of hours of spectroscopic observations to confirm, the new study notes.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026
  • On Monday, some of Reina’s family kept their sunglasses on in the dim courtroom.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • These include shrimp ceviche, lobster bisque, black mussels, truffle fries and a Caesar salad.
    Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Mother of the bride Thurman was photographed in a gauzy light blue dress, and Ethan Hawke was in a navy blue suit paired with a black button-down.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The dating scene is bleak, or at least increasingly difficult to navigate.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
  • But none of them have felt as bleak or despairing as Israeli director Anat Even’s scathing cinematic essay, Collapse (Effondrement).
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • While current work on the development is silent, crews are only waiting for county permits to build, the developer said.
    Larry Seward, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
  • History has shown us time and again that meaningful change often begins when young people refuse to stay silent.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Çatak’s anti-state message acquires an ambiguous power as the movie wends onward, with an enigmatic final shot that finds Aziz tasting clear-skies freedom but still from behind confines of a sort.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Wuthering Heights simultaneously puts too much malevolence on Nelly’s shoulders while also making her final decisions sort of nonsensical, even ambiguous.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Kudos to former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama for showing class and not responding to this insecure, ignorant symbol of racist hatred.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Walz said children fear aggressive agents; critics called the comparison ignorant and offensive.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Or a family battling an evil monster.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Five years ago, Mamdani argued that the New York Police Department was essentially evil and should have its budget deeply slashed.
    Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • When exhaustion overtakes them, something more sinister comes creeping from the shadows.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Charlotte loves Willow and will do anything to keep her alive and well, which leaves Amelia, Willow’s healthy older sister, in the shadows.
    Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dark. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on dark

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!