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dark horse



Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Blyth also called Rieder a bit of a "dark horse" on whether his decisions would shift from Powell's.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

Surprisingly, none of the three claimed Austen’s best-known novel, “Pride and Prejudice,” while dark horse candidate “Mansfield Park” — Austen’s far less sparkly, even somber third novel — appeared to win the day.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 30, 2025

After more than a century of false starts, the dark horse of the renewable-energy industry seems finally poised to make a significant dent in America’s insatiable appetite for new sources of power.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

One dark horse is YouTube prankster Niko Omilana, says author Eloise Skinner, who holds a diploma in psychotherapy.

From BBC • May 14, 2025

He found the dark horse in the night and stood caressing the warm skin, thick bristly mane, feeding sugar, talking.

From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara




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