darkening
/ˈdɑːrkənɪŋ/
VERB
1. To make something darker by reducing light
To reduce the amount of light in a place or make something less illuminated.
1.1. Reducing illumination
Making a room, area, or space darker by reducing the amount of light.
Synonyms
- dimming
- bedimming
- blackening
Antonyms
- brightening
- illuminating
- lighting
- lightening
Examples
- The darkening of the room made it difficult to see.
Related Words
- shadowing
- shading
- sunless
1.2. The sky or surroundings becoming darker
The gradual loss of daylight or the appearance of darkness caused by evening or clouds.
Synonyms
- dusking
- overcasting
- clouding
- glooming
Antonyms
- dawning
- brightening
Examples
- The darkening sky hinted at the approaching storm.
- She noticed the darkening shadows as the sun began to set.
- The darkening of the forest signaled the end of the day.
Related Words
- murky
- shadowing
- sunless
1.3. Making a color darker
Changing the appearance of something by making its color darker or less bright.
Synonyms
- blackening
- coloring
- discoloring
- staining
Antonyms
- brightening
- lightening
Related Words
1.4. Making a mood or atmosphere gloomy
Causing a person's mood, feelings, or an atmosphere to become sad, gloomy, or less hopeful.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- cheering
- brightening
- comforting
- uplifting
Examples
- The darkening of his mood was evident as he spoke.
Related Words
- melancholy
- somber
- sombre
- morose
- despondent
1.5. Obscuring or making something less clear
Making something difficult to see, understand, or recognize by covering, clouding, or obscuring it.
Synonyms
- obscuring
- beclouding
- clouding
- blurring
- veiling
- overclouding
Antonyms
- illuminating
- revealing
- uncovering
- unveiling
Related Words
1.6. Sullied or tarnished reputation or condition
Making something morally or figuratively worse by damaging its reputation, purity, or condition.
Synonyms
- sullying
- tarnishing
- besmirching
- discrediting
- disgracing
- tainting
Antonyms
- dignifying
- elevating
- ennobling
- glorifying
- purifying
Related Words
- blemishing
- marring
- spoiling
- staining
NOUN
2. The process or act of becoming darker
The gradual process in which something becomes darker or loses brightness.
2.1. A gradual decrease in light or brightness
The process of a place, object, or the sky becoming darker as illumination decreases.
Synonyms
- dimming
- blackening
- dusking
Antonyms
- brightening
- lightening
- illumination
Examples
- The darkening of the room made it difficult to see.
Related Words
- shadowing
- shading
- overcasting