View synonyms for blacken

blacken

[ blak-uhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to make black; darken.
to speak evil of; defame:
to blacken a person's reputation.
Synonyms: calumniate, traduce, libel, slander, smear, denigrate

blacken

/ ˈblækən /

Origin of blacken¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; black, -en ¹

Because of a quibble on his part this loathsome thing would ruin his future, dash his hopes to the ground, blacken his life.

The river pool commenced to blacken, while flowering rushes tossed their shivering heads and murmured.

"Too bad of you to blacken me to her like that," remarked the judge.

They have done what they could to blacken his name; and to this day the shadow they have cast upon it in part remains.

These lawyers who are coming will blacken lots of paper, and talk a great deal of useless stuff.

April 25, 2024firkin

[fur-kin ]

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