darkening
Light fading away
Darkening is the process of becoming darker or making something darker.
The sky darkens before a storm; a room darkens when you draw the curtains.
Figuratively, a darkening mood grows more somber or threatening: A darkening cloud of suspicion hung over the investigation.
The word often suggests gradual change rather than sudden shift.
Increasing in strength
- saturatingFilling to total capacity
- enrichingAdding worth or nutrients
- blackeningMaking or becoming dark
- strengtheningIncreasing power or solidity
concentrating · enhancing · bolstering · amplifying · heightening · accentuating · thickening · layering
Dimming after sundown
- nightfallOnset of darkness
- sunsetDay yielding to darkness
- gloamingPoetic term for dusk
- eventideArchaic term for dusk
crepuscule · sundown · vesper · afterglow · half-light · penumbra · dimness · dusky
Gradual loss of intensity
- obscuringMaking less visible
- shadowingFollowing to observe
- veilingConcealing with covering
- cloudingMaking less transparent
muting · subduing · dulling · blurring · hazing · greying · waning · eclipsing
Pervasive dimness or dejection
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
menacing · sinister · somber · bleakness · dreariness · heaviness · oppressive · threatening
Light blocked by object
- canopyOverhead protective covering
- awningMounted overhead shelter
- blindsAdjustable slatted window coverings
- curtainsHanging fabric window covers
umbrella · pergola · parasol · shelter · screen · tarp · overhanging · dappled
Curing hides or bronzing
- bronzingAcquiring sun-kissed color
- pigmentationNatural tissue coloring
- melaninNatural coloring compound
- browningFood darkening when cooked
intensifying
Increasing in strength
- saturatingFilling to total capacity
- enrichingAdding worth or nutrients
- blackeningMaking or becoming dark
strengthening · concentrating · enhancing · bolstering · amplifying · heightening · accentuating · thickening · layering · building
dusk
Dimming after sundown
eventide · crepuscule · sundown · vesper · afterglow · half-light · penumbra · dimness · dusky · twilit
fading
Gradual loss of intensity
clouding · muting · subduing · dulling · blurring · hazing · greying · waning · eclipsing · shrouding
gloom
Pervasive dimness or dejection
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
ominous · menacing · sinister · somber · bleakness · dreariness · heaviness · oppressive · threatening · dire
shadow
Light blocked by object
- canopyOverhead protective covering
- awningMounted overhead shelter
- blindsAdjustable slatted window coverings
curtains · umbrella · pergola · parasol · shelter · screen · tarp · overhanging · dappled · tinting
tanning
Curing hides or bronzing
- bronzingAcquiring sun-kissed color
- pigmentationNatural tissue coloring
- melaninNatural coloring compound
browning · weathering · freckling · hyperpigmentation · discoloration
- color changedyeing, tinting, fading, bleaching, lightening
- dimmingfading, lowering, dulling, muting
- discolorationdiscoloration, stain, stains, staining, spots
- transformationschange, changes, transform, transforms, transformation
- painting techniquesimpasto, glazing, dry brushing, drybrush, stippling
- lightinglamp, lamps, bulbs, light bulb, light bulbs
darkeningbrightening
Increasing in light
lightening · illuminating · lighting · lighting up · glowing
darkeningbrightening
Increasing in light
lightening · lifting · cheering · uplifting · hopeful
darkeninglightening
Making lighter in weight/shade
brightening · fading · whitening · bleaching · paling
dark, darkness, darken, darkened, darkest, darkly, darker, darkens, darkish