the Dark Ages

plural noun

1
: the period of European history from about A.D. 500 to 1000 : the first 500 years of the Middle Ages
2
or the dark ages often humorous : the period of time before things developed into their modern form
In the dark ages before computers, we often wrote our letters by hand.
Her father's ideas about women are from the Dark Ages.

Examples of the Dark Ages in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Turns out, the new case management system heralded by some as the courthouse's escape from the Dark Ages was glitching. Brooke Park, San Antonio Express-News, 3 Oct. 2024 Sign up And these masterpieces of the Dark Ages are not Ravenna's only attractions. The Week Uk, theweek, 15 Sep. 2024 The guides were all so knowledgeable and educated us about the Roman empire, the Medici family, the Catholic Church, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michaelangelo, life during the Renaissance, life during the Dark Ages, and everything else. Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2024 The 5th century was the beginning of the Dark Ages in Britain. Erik Kain, Forbes, 8 Sep. 2024 Clearly, with such expressions of vindictiveness and animosity, the party of Lincoln wishes to move our nation backwards to the Dark Ages of humanity. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2024 When wealthy landowner Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan) hires archeologist Basil Brown (Ralph Fiennes) to dig up large mounds on her property, the pair make a startling discovery—a ship from the Dark Ages that turns out to be the burial site of someone of tremendous distinction. Matt Kamen, WIRED, 6 July 2024 In Europe, the centuries afterward are sometimes called the Dark Ages. Michael Mandelbaum, Foreign Affairs, 17 Oct. 2014 Immediately following the collapse of the Late Bronze Age, Greece was plunged into the Dark Ages, as connections among cities broke down and written records virtually disappeared. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 10 May 2024

Dictionary Entries Near the Dark Ages

Cite this Entry

“The Dark Ages.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20Dark%20Ages. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!