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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Demand for tickets has been so intense that some major theater chains are scheduling showtimes every 15 minutes from dusk to dawn on opening weekend. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 28 July 2026 The king was said to have walked the perimeter at dusk and, like Ser Criston Cole, did not wear his mail hauberk. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 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
  • Here’s where to catch the skyline, the sunset, and one more round before the autumn breeze rolls in.
    — Martie Bowser, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The premium is well worth it for sunset views of the water and a front-row seat to the ferries, fishers, and sailboats passing through.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 July 2026
Definition of sunset
Noun
  • The card also features an IBF lightweight title defense between Raymond Muratalla and Robson Conceicao, promising an exciting night.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Forward Jason Robertson has signed a one-year, $12 million contract to remain with the Dallas Stars, the team announced Tuesday night.
    — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of night
Noun
  • Following the consolidation, the production capacity for Inpro’s shower curtains, cubicle curtains and roller shades was expected to increase, the company’s 2024 statement said.
    — Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
  • With the synthetic turf, there’s no concern about the shade from the existing tree canopy and playing conditions will be consistent.
    — Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of shade
Verb
  • As a makeup product, it can be used as a primer, highlighter, bronzer, foundation shade adjuster (pick a shade to darken or lighten a complexion product that’s a little bit off), and even a skin tint thanks to its sheer but transformative pigment.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 20 July 2026
  • The Hapsburg Inspector General, the equivalent of the food inspector darkening the doorway of a scummy restaurant?
    — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Definition of darken
Adjective
  • Protesters covered events in real time, filming Instagram reels, sharing videos and memes – often laced with dark humor and jibes at Modi – and posting updates from the protest site.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • The path of totality — the moon’s dark shadow — will cross eastern Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain, from where the sun’s corona will become visible, if skies are clear, for up to 2 minutes 18 seconds.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of dark
Noun
  • However, millions of people will be able to take part in an event whose central path will briefly turn day to twilight across parts of Europe and the Arctic.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • The club’s talismanic captain is in the twilight of his career and Gomez’s patchy fitness record is a concern, while Jacquet and Leoni are both highly regarded but young and unproven in English football.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of twilight
Noun
  • Mixing a sharp slider with a changeup and fastball from the sunshine into the shadows early in the game, Cease had very little hard contact.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • And as eye makeup continues its renaissance–with colorful liners, statement shadows and playful mascaras everywhere from the catwalks to TikTok–there’s never been a better time to experiment.
    — Chloe Burcham, Vogue, 24 July 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 4 Aug. 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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