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
Structured as a road movie, the film opens in morning light and tracks the family through to nightfall, moving from one temple to the next with scenes of travel in between.
—
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 May 2026
Terminus always made sure their arrival came just after nightfall when the streetlights were lit and families were sitting back with full bellies bumping against their dinner tables, houses quiet; all conversation having already been spent between forkfuls of food and hearty swallows of drink.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Looking high overhead and toward the south just after nightfall, there is a broad star pattern formed by four stars.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 15 May 2026
The moon’s clash with Venus puts you in a moody headspace that lasts until nightfall.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nightfall
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 May 2026
Terminus always made sure their arrival came just after nightfall when the streetlights were lit and families were sitting back with full bellies bumping against their dinner tables, houses quiet; all conversation having already been spent between forkfuls of food and hearty swallows of drink.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Looking high overhead and toward the south just after nightfall, there is a broad star pattern formed by four stars.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 15 May 2026
The moon’s clash with Venus puts you in a moody headspace that lasts until nightfall.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for nightfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nightfall
Noun
-
The comparison is not of the apples-to-apples variety, because a late-night host’s last program is bound to win a large audience, just as a repeat aired on a Friday night is not.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
29 May 2026
-
Add sandals for a beach day and heels for a night of ocean-side spritzes.—
Kaelin Dodge,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Wearing long sleeves and long pants, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
People can reduce their odds of getting West Nile by wearing insect repellent and covering skin while outdoors; limiting activity at dawn and dusk; emptying any standing water around their homes; and repairing door and window screens as necessary.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Pink Bar, the resort’s beachside cocktail spot, shifts the tempo at sunset.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Many of the Acts the Department administers have sunset provisions, which provide opportunities for the Department to work closely with our licensed professions and industries to make technical changes and language modernizations.—
Tara Molina,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Still, lingering twilight across far northern regions near the Arctic Circle could reduce viewing conditions despite any potential auroral activity.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
-
Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto let a day’s stroll linger into profundity, the twilight dimming and human connection brewing in all its possibilities.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
As day turned into evening, Pritzker made clear that the focus of Friday’s negotiations was the state budget.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2026
-
So maybe there should be a line of coaches, teammates and family members waiting to drive her to practice or to her debut with Marroquin’s team, the Santa Clarita Blue Heat, on Saturday evening at The Master’s University.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nightfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nightfall. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
