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View synonyms for blacken

blacken

[ blak-uhn ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to make black; darken.
  2. to speak evil of; defame:

    to blacken a person's reputation.

    Synonyms: calumniate, traduce, libel, slander, smear, denigrate



verb (used without object)

  1. to grow or become black.

blacken

/ ˈblækən /

verb

  1. to make or become black or dirty
  2. tr to defame; slander (esp in the phrase blacken someone's name )
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Other Words From

  • blacken·er noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of blacken1

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

They rebuilt a simple, one-room cabin on the blackened site.

He was notably plump for a small reptile, and the end of his tail was missing, blackened.

A sweet choice is great for lending a sugary punch to a savory bun or a heavily salted piece of meat, or to offset a spicy or heavily seasoned dish like jerk wings or blackened salmon.

From Eater

Turn them regularly until charred all over and tender, then allow to cool enough so you can peel off the blackened skins and purée into dip.

From Eater

His forehead was bruised, his eyes were blackened and his neck was scored with scratches.

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.

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black economyblackened