blackens
Scorches until dark
Blackens is the present tense of blacken—to make or become black or dark.
Fire blackens walls.
A reputation can be blackened by scandal.
Meat is blackened when seared at high heat with spices until the surface chars: blackened catfish, blackened chicken.
The sky blackens before a storm.
Light blocked by object
- eclipseCelestial body blocks another
- dimmingDecreasing in brightness
- shadingDepicting light and darkness
- obscureUnknown to most
shroud · umbra · penumbra · darken · ink · pitch · sable · midnight
Fearful anticipation of harm
- menacingConveying threat or danger
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
- gloomyDark and dispiriting
dire · grim · portentous · baleful · darken · shadow · cloud · storm
Unclear dirty mark
- sootCarbon from incomplete burning
- charBurn without destroying
- scorchBurn superficially
- smearSpread or defame
stain · dirty · blemish · streak · bruise · burn · ash · grime
shadow
Light blocked by object
- eclipseCelestial body blocks another
- dimmingDecreasing in brightness
- shadingDepicting light and darkness
obscure · shroud · umbra · penumbra · darken · ink · pitch · sable · midnight · char
foreboding
Fearful anticipation of harm
- menacingConveying threat or danger
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- sinisterThreateningly suggestive of harm
gloomy · dire · grim · portentous · baleful · darken · shadow · cloud · storm · glower
smudge
Unclear dirty mark
smear · stain · dirty · blemish · streak · bruise · burn · ash · grime · residue
slander
Spoken false defamation
vilify · denigrate · sully · tarnish · besmirch · defame · disparage · discredit · dishonor · disgrace
sear
Burn the outside
skillet · seasoning · spice · pepper · fish · redfish · salmon · chicken · cast-iron · caramelize
- criticismscriticizes, disparages, condemns, denounces, censures
- tarnishesblemishes, blots, corrupts, defames, denigrates
blackenshonors
Recognition for achievement
vindicates · clears · compliments · praises · glorifies
- blacked outLost awareness temporarily
- blackened fishSpice-coated, high-heat seared seafood
- blackened chickenSpice-crusted seared poultry dish
- blackened catfishSpice-crusted seared freshwater fish