black 1 of 3

1
as in ebony
having the color of soot or coal we adopted a little black kitten

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2
3
as in brunette
not having a light complexion a black Irishman, Tyrone Power had the classic looks of a Hollywood leading man

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black

2 of 3

noun

black

3 of 3

verb

chiefly British

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of black
Adjective
The Glasses’ collection features three color stories, neutral tones inspired by the siblings’ homeland; the red and black hues recalling Navajo dyeing techniques, and indigo. Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 8 Apr. 2025 Opt for the classic walnut or this contemporary black hue. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
Take your pick from black to mocha to crisp, winter white. Taylor Jean Stephan, Peoplemag, 31 Jan. 2023 Flaunt this fun, floral style, or opt for their best-selling classic black. Meg Donohue, Town & Country, 31 Jan. 2023 See All Example Sentences for black
Recent Examples of Synonyms for black
Adjective
  • California launched the ebony alert for missing black children in 2024 after authorizing legislation was passed the prior year.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The leopard part of the breed has to do with her Dalmatian-like ebony spots and lightly colored coat.
    TJ Macias, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Editor’s tip: Niacinamide is a multitasker that blurs the look of dark spots, evens your skin tone, and balances your complexion.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Apr. 2025
  • And so by some sociologists, camp is thought to be this form of dark humor serving as a coping mechanism to historical marginalization.
    Sam Reed, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In its time open, fueled by fans of its blackened mahi and buttery lobster rolls, owner Mike Smith has expanded his footprint, moving into a larger stall in the popular food hall — which has allowed for a menu expansion, as well.
    Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2022
  • There are no glamorous furnishings — just a French window, its blackened panes suggesting the dark of night.
    Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2022
Noun
  • The text gets smaller and quieter in the next three panels, followed by three extraordinary solid panels of inky blackness.
    Art Spiegelman, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
  • In each image, a patch of purple with neon pink veins floats in the blackness of space, surrounded by flecks of light.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Mulvaney's video with the product shared on April 1, ensued was one of the year's biggest culture wars, with conservatives boycotting the beer.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • In response to President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian imports to the U.S., many Canadians are boycotting American goods, particularly whiskey.
    Made by History, Time, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Disney World: Both Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon will be open this summer Cast members monitored Tucker’s actions with other savanna residents such as zebras, sable antelopes and springbok.
    Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Almond Sable Cookies with Cacao Nibs This vegan version of a rich, delicate, crumbly sable, the classic French cookie named for its tender texture, uses only a handful of ingredients, including coconut oil, almond meal, sugar, flour and cacao nibs.
    Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Choose from four different finishes: brown, dark brown, gray wash, and white wash.
    Ali Faccenda, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The women also showed off their personal style, with Karen Fairchild opting for an orange minidress under a gray suit jacket and fishnet stockings, and Kimberly Schlapman choosing a black minidress with fuzzy fringe on the bottom.
    Lori A Bashian Fox News, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Elements of her can be found on Lioness in Zoe Saldaña’s Joe McNamara, a CIA operative trying to save the world from the swarthy — terrorists in Season One, Mexican cartels in Season Two — while raising two girls.
    Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Jett Rink was a really malevolent varmint, and kind of swarthy and dark.
    Jeff Conway, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Black.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/black. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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