Synonyms

darkness

American

[dahrk-nis] / ˈdɑrk nɪs /

noun

the state or quality of being dark.

The room was in total darkness.
absence or deficiency of light.

the darkness of night.
wickedness or evil.

Satan, the prince of darkness.
obscurity; concealment.

The darkness of the metaphor destroyed its effectiveness.
lack of knowledge or enlightenment.

heathen darkness.
lack of sight; blindness.

Other Word Forms

predarkness noun

Etymology

Origin of darkness

First recorded before 1050; Middle English derknesse, Old English deorcnysse; equivalent to dark + -ness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The stripes are absolutely distinct with complete darkness between them," Medvedev said.

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2026

Over the show’s seven-season run, Brendon became a central figure, portraying the witty, insecure but dependable “everyman” in the gang’s battles against the forces of darkness.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

“You’ve got to go through the darkness before you get to the light,” Coach Martins said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Five players, including captain Zahra Ghanbari, slipped away from the team hotel under the cover of darkness to claim asylum in Australia.

From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026

As I listened to Hannie’s pen scratching across the pages in the darkness, I let myself drift into a shallow, unsettled, worry-filled sleep.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023