nightfall

noun

ˈnīt-ˌfȯl How to pronounce nightfall (audio)
Definition of nightfallnext
as in night
the time from when the sun begins to set to the onset of total darkness since you aren't taking a flashlight, make sure you're back at camp by nightfall

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 nightfall The Draconids are best viewed in the evening in the Northern Hemisphere, as the Draco the Dragon constellation appears highest in the sky at nightfall, per EarthSky. — Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Four technical rescuers then entered the couloir with ropes and other equipment and began the rescue after nightfall, according to the team. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 The Perseid meteor shower reaches its annual peak, meaning that observers under clear skies who stick it out into nightfall will be able to see yet another beautiful spectacle. — Claire Cameron & Lee Billings, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026 It was named the Indian Creek Fire and a large smoke plume could be seen before nightfall on Tuesday. — Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nightfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nightfall
  1. night
  2. dusk
  3. sunset
  4. twilight
  5. evening
Noun
  • What transpired in-between the curtain raiser and final pose was much like what had gone down the previous night in Cincinnati, at the first public gig the Beach Boys had done since canceling a slew of dates beginning in July.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The White House did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment Sunday night.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of night
Noun
  • Driving down the grand driveway at dusk in the signature gold Bentley with your new spouse.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • One of the best ways to avoid being bitten by a shark is to stay out of the water at dawn or dusk, according to experts with the International Shark Attack File.
    — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of dusk
Noun
  • The 400-acre property gets great sunsets and somehow seems miles away from Dallas despite being just outside the city limits.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The low-angle light plays hobs with conventional solar panels lying flat on a lander, but Blue Origin's Power Tower is designed to exploit the near-eternal sunset/sunrise.
    — David Szondy October 07, New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of sunset
Noun
  • Arizona led 2-1 in the third before the Padres went in front on Ty France's RBI groundout and Gavin Sheets' RBI double that center fielder Tim Tawa lost in the lights and twilight sky.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • And at twilight, New Orleans bandleader and composer Jon Batiste delivered a contagious tour-de-force of joy and struggle, careening from ragtime classics to contemporary numbers.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of twilight
Noun
  • Its minimalist aesthetic and discreet approach to luxury perfectly capture the growing desire for versatile bags that transition effortlessly from day to evening.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But the administration blew past a Sunday evening deadline and ran two of the ads into the early hours of Monday, advertising data from AdImpact shows.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of evening

Browse Nearby Words

nightdresses
nightfall
nightfalls
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nightfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nightfall. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of abscond

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All