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 train travels north, making stops at rural towns in the waning light of dusk. — Aube Rey Lescure, Longreads, 29 Oct. 2026 As dusk fell Saturday, violence erupted at the end of some of the 289 protests counted by the Interior Ministry nationwide. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 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
  • Around them stand darkened houses, and uncollected trash piles up on the street.
    — Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of darkened
Noun
  • Newcomer Amélia is the more elevated option, serving a four-course dinner upstairs, while Varanda, the two-level café and rooftop bar, is the spot for a midday coffee or sunset drink overlooking Leblon.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The pavilion that used to be a place for Coyote moviegoers to have dinner, play video games and watch the sunset before the main attraction will remain and become a part of the park.
    — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of sunset
Noun
  • Likely voters who decided which candidate to support only recently in seven key Senate races favor Republicans despite an overall Democratic advantage, according to a new poll released Sunday night.
    — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The following year, Moore returned as a counselor and was accused of entering campers’ rooms at night, but no abuse was reported.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of night
Noun
  • The pumps’ uppers and heel counter are built from a combination of semi-sheer tulle and lustrous satin in a dainty powder pink shade.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The hogs benefit from the shade in the paddocks, though the ranch also creates wallows for cooling mud baths that also provide sun protection.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of shade
Verb
  • But whether in Frankfurt or, later, Weimar — where Soviet officials are as keen to canonize Thomas — this father and daughter aren’t simply driving through Germany but taking a tour across fascism’s long shadow, which still darkens the world.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Visual Forensics The monument would darken the nation’s premier military burial ground early in the morning on more than 280 days a year, a Post analysis finds.
    — Dan Diamond, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of darken
Adjective
  • The ad is characteristic of the increasingly dark tone Hilton’s campaign has taken on in the home stretch.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Netanyahu's supporters see him as a steady hand and a consummate statesman who has led Israel through a war of redemption after the country's darkest hour.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of dark
Noun
  • Not so much because the 37-year-old Kelce is revitalized in his twilight years.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Indeed, in 1986, many of the largest cities were bathed in permanent twilight, with only the brightest stars and planets visible from near city centers and with astronomically unacceptable conditions up to 50 miles (80 km) away.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of twilight
Noun
  • If there's snow on the ground, check for shadows made by Venus's light.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Rattlesnakes are lazy hunters that wait in the shadows for prey to approach.
    — RJ Mackenzie, Popular Science, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of shadows

Browse Nearby Words

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 3 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dusk

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dusk

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