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

The spill blackened popular beaches, killed wildlife and hurt tourism and fishing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It was her first day back, and she had just walked through a sea of scorched Joshua trees rising from blackened earth, their dagger-like leaves bleached an unhealthy yellow.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Following a recent attack, plumes of smoke were rising from a massive generator, still ablaze, at the centre of a blackened metal structure, once the heart of the plant.

Read more on Barron's

Dozens of men arrived for the prayers in a show of defiance - their backs turned towards the scorched and blackened wall.

Read more on BBC

Gio and Roman came out with blackened faces and hands and filthy clothes, beaming.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• blot 
• smudge 
• stain 
• sully 
• tarnish