Definition

1. Adjective: Becoming dark or darker, especially due to diminishing light or increasing cloud cover. Example: We hurried home under the darkening sky.

2. Noun: The process or act of changing to a darker color or shade; the state of growing dark. Example: The darkening of the wood was caused by years of exposure to sunlight.

Usage

• As an adjective, "darkening" typically describes a sky, room, or landscape that is in the process of losing light.
  • The darkening clouds signaled an approaching storm.
• As a noun, "darkening" refers to the process itself. It is often used with "the" or a possessive.
  • The rapid darkening of the room made it difficult to read.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • She watched the darkening horizon with concern.
  • The darkening mood in the meeting was palpable.
• Noun:
  • He observed the gradual darkening of the leaves in autumn.
  • A sudden darkening of the screen indicated a power failure.

Advanced Usage

• Figurative Use: "Darkening" can describe a worsening or more somber mood, situation, or prospect.
  • The darkening economic outlook worried investors.
  • There was a darkening of his usual cheerful demeanor.

Variants and Related Words

• Darken (verb): To make or become dark or darker.
  • The storm clouds darkened the afternoon.
• Darkened (adjective): Describes something that has already become dark.
  • We entered a darkened room.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Dimming, shadowing, clouding, obscuring.
• Noun: Dimming, shading, blackening, obscuration.

Antonyms

• Adjective/Noun: Brightening, lightening, illuminating.

Adjective

1. becoming dark or darker as from waning light or clouding over
   • the darkening sky

Noun

1. changing to a darker color