blacken

American  

[blak-uhn] / ˈblæk ən /

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

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verb (used without object)

1. to grow or become black.

blacken British  

/ ˈblækən /

verb

1. to make or become black or dirty

2. (tr) to defame; slander (esp in the phrase blacken someone's name )

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Other Word Forms

• blackener noun

Etymology

Origin of blacken

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

Example Sentences

A new scientific review suggests that Polygonum multiflorum, a root used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than a thousand years to "blacken hair and nourish essence," could be a promising alternative for managing AGA.

From Science Daily

Every time I do, I think of Jo charging into that doomed kitchen with “perfect faith in her own powers” and emerging with blackened bread and lumpy blancmange.

From The Wall Street Journal

The mood among many Labour MPs is darkening, even blackening.

From BBC

They avoided other clumps of blackened trees just in case they stumbled into more holes, but each time Owen saw a burned-out denning site, he felt a pang of sadness.

From Literature

And beyond that, just this blackened disaster zone.

From Literature

Related Words

• blot
• smudge
• stain
• sully
• tarnish