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 )

Other Word Forms

• blackener noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of blacken¹

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

Example Sentences

Tole, whose eyes had been blackened out to protect his identity at the time, is wearing what appears to be a neck brace and is hooked up to monitors.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They wake up each morning to reminders of apocalypse: blackened stumps and ghostly bare branches where a tree canopy used to be, and bald rocks and makeshift shelters where homes used to stand.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Verified videos and photos show the upper storeys of the building severely damaged, blackened and smoking, with sections of walls and windows destroyed.

Read more on BBC

In other instances, candle wax has damaged some of the internal stones, along with burnt incense sticks leaving thick soot which has blackened some stones beyond cleaning.

Read more on BBC

In an effort to describe them, fashion writers mentioned blackened silver and beach fog.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blot 
• smudge 
• stain 
• sully 
• tarnish