dusk 1 of 3

adjective

ˈdəsk How to pronounce dusk (audio)
Definition of dusknext
as in darkened
being without light or without much light under a dusk sky, the campers wearily bedded down for the night

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dusk

2 of 3

noun

1
as in sunset
the time from when the sun begins to set to the onset of total darkness we stopped playing at dusk, since it was getting too dark to see the ball

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2
as in night
a time or place of little or no light legends of fearsome beasts living in the dusk of the great forest

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3
as in shade
partial darkness due to the obstruction of light rays the forbidding dusk of Germany's famed Black Forest

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dusk

3 of 3

verb

as in to darken
to grow dark the grief-stricken woman continued to sit in the dusking room until she was completely enveloped in darkness

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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 dusk
Adjective
Mylar space blankets draped across their shoulders glistened a surreal golden hue as the vessel’s blinding strobe lights illuminated the post-dusk spectacle. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2021 Forgive me for skipping dinner, but my pre-dusk meals were simply not going to be outshone. — Andi Berlin, The Arizona Republic, 22 Aug. 2021
Noun
The clubby street-side Street Bar bustles with locals and visitors from dawn to dusk, while its rooftop restaurant, Contessa, is among the sceneiest spots in town. — Andrew Sessa, Robb Report, 2 July 2026 Dawn and dusk are when mosquitoes are most active, and times to avoid being outdoors. — Reeti Malhotra july 2, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
Verb
With minimal humidity, near-perfect clear-sky frequency and vast empty horizons, Namibia offers the kind of slow, immersive darkness that makes dusking feel less like a trend and more like a return to something ancient. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026 The park is open from daylight to dusk for visitors and 24/7 for campers. — Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dusk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dusk
  1. darkened
  2. sunset
  3. night
  4. shade
  5. darken
  6. dark
  7. twilight
  8. shadows
Adjective
  • This trend has been pretty pervasive among designer bags recently, with shoppers buying new Prada and Chanel bags with darkened leather to give them a used look, or sourcing vintage Celine bags with obvious signs of wear.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 2 July 2026
  • She’s talked up her push to convert darkened streetlights, many of them stripped of their copper wire, to solar power.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Definition of darkened
Noun
  • With summer now in full swing, these are the places to book for long lunches, sunset drinks and memorable meals outdoors.
    — Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Insider tip At sunset, order a canelazo and head to the rooftop terrace.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
Definition of sunset
Noun
  • Harry Styles ended his record-breaking 12-night run in London on a memorable note.
    — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 8 July 2026
  • These Wednesday night dinner ideas will fuel your family and help everyone get through the rest of the week.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 July 2026
Definition of night
Noun
  • All shades, all colors, 4 million faces surrounding them with resounding support and unrequited love.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Among those accessories, Middleton sported the Gabrielle earrings from Sézane in a coffee shade, Halcyon Days aquamarine and gold bangle bracelet and a Sézane howlite cuff.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 July 2026
Definition of shade
Verb
  • Then as skies darkened, fireworks began lighting the skies everywhere.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2026
  • Start light and add layers to darken or blend the color as needed.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
Definition of darken
Adjective
  • As its name suggests, the product is formulated with skin care superstar retinol to smooth fine lines and crow’s feet and brighten dark circles.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 7 July 2026
  • El Floridita and Sloppy Joe’s, tourist destinations made famous by American novelist Ernest Hemingway, sat dark and shuttered.
    — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of dark
Noun
  • Venus is still with us though, and is the brightest star-like object in the sky this month, popping out in the low western twilight very soon after sunset and slipping below the horizon not long after evening twilight ends.
    — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 5 July 2026
  • However, nights remain short for observers in the northern hemisphere and lingering twilight could make auroras harder to spot.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of twilight
Noun
  • These new developments bring into fuller view some questions that could only linger in the shadows when Shannon and I spoke.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • In the long shadows of the Pacific Northwest, the Yanks were fortunate not to trail 5-1 at the half — and their lone goal came on a Malik Tillman free kick that deflected off a Belgian defender’s head into the net.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026
Definition of shadows

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during
dusk
dusked
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Cite this Entry

“Dusk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dusk. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dusk

Nglish: Translation of dusk for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dusk

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