enegrecer
1. to make something black or dark in color
The smoke from the fire blackened the walls.
A fumaça do incêndio enegreceu as paredes.
2. to damage someone's reputation or character
The scandal blackened his name forever.
O escândalo manchou sua reputação para sempre.
3. to become black or dark
The sky blackened as the storm approached.
O céu escureceu quando a tempestade se aproximou.
4. to char or burn the surface of something
Blacken the fish skin in a hot pan.
Queime a pele do peixe em uma panela quente.
In both Brazilian and American English, 'blacken' is commonly used in cooking (Cajun cuisine, seared fish) and in figurative contexts regarding reputation or character assassination. The term has historical weight in English and should be used carefully in formal contexts when referring to reputation damage.
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