Blacken: meaning, definitions and examples

Blacken, used again, typically means to make something dark or to coat with a black substance. It can also be used in cooking, particularly in terms of blackening fish or meat.

• The pot began to blacken on the stove
• He blackened the fish with a special spice mix

Char refers to the process of burning something until it is blackened or reduced to carbon. It is often used in cooking or to describe destruction by fire.

• The steak was perfectly charred on the grill
• The house was charred beyond recognition after the fire

Scorch means to burn something slightly so that it becomes discolored or damaged. It is often used for minor burns or surface level burns.

• The sun can scorch your skin if you're not careful
• She accidentally scorched her dress with the iron

Burn is used when something is damaged or consumed by fire. It can also refer to the feeling of heat or pain from fire or chemicals, and metaphorically to describe intense emotions.

• The logs burn brightly in the fireplace
• She felt her skin burn after being in the sun for too long
• His words can really burn when he's angry

Used to describe making someone's reputation worse by spreading false or damaging information. Can also mean physically making something black.

• The politician's rivals tried to blacken his name before the election.
• The smoke blackened the walls of the building.

Typically used in a legal or formal context to describe the act of damaging someone's good reputation through false statements.

• She sued the magazine for defaming her character.
• Public officials must be careful not to defame others without evidence.

Refers specifically to spoken statements meant to harm someone's reputation. It is often used in legal situations.

• He was accused of slander after spreading false rumors about his coworker.
• The celebrity took legal action after being slandered in an interview.

This word is often used in political or public contexts to describe a deliberate campaign to ruin someone's reputation through false accusations or misrepresentation.

• The news article was part of a smear campaign against the candidate.
• She was the target of a smear aimed at ruining her career.

This word is often used when something is physically made black or dark, or metaphorically to describe something that has been made to seem bad or evil, although it can be used in less intense situations than 'demonize' or 'vilify'.

• The smoke from the fire blackened the walls.
• She claims the gossip has blackened her reputation.

This word is used to describe speaking or writing about someone in an abusively disparaging manner. It has a strong negative connotation similar to 'demonize', but is more focused on the act of defamation.

• The press vilified the actor after the incident.
• He was vilified by his enemies for his controversial opinions.

This word is used to describe the act of portraying someone or something as completely evil or wicked. It carries a strong negative connotation and is often used in political or social contexts.

• The politician tried to demonize his opponent to sway the voters.
• Media outlets often demonize certain groups to create fear.

Use this word when referring to damage done to a reputation or image, often implying a loss of respect or honor without the intensity of 'demonize'. It can also refer to a physical process where something becomes less shiny.

• The scandal tarnished the company's image.
• The silverware began to tarnish over time.