1
: the apparent descent of the sun below the horizon
also
: the accompanying atmospheric effects
2
: the time when the upper limb of the sun disappears below the horizon as a result of the diurnal rotation of the earth
3
: a period of decline
especially
: old age
: stipulating the periodic review of government agencies and programs in order to continue their existence
sunset laws
sunsetted; sunsetting
1
transitive
US
: to cause or allow (something, such as a law) to lapse, end, or be terminated
And yet, even though he was part of the coalition, Obama offered an amendment … that would have sunsetted the merit-based evaluation system for immigrants after five years.—
Jake Tapper
Jake TapperIn an effort to cut back on projects, Google decided to sunset Google Reader …—Tristan Louis
Tristan Louis2
intransitive
US
: to lapse or come to an end : expire
laws that will sunset at the end of the year
Since the credit will sunset at the end of 2016, its fate could rest in the hands of a new Congress and a new president—who might not necessarily see the value in reinstating the credit.—Eric S. Peterson
Eric S. PetersonSynonyms
Examples of sunset in a Sentence
Noun
We worked from sunrise to sunset.
the golden light of sunset
Recent Examples on the Web
PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
Think about the jackass, who probably isn’t enjoying a stunning pink-purple sunset.
—Tim Zientek, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
Sofia Quintero, ELLE Decor, 28 Mar. 2023
The solar system’s largest planet this week takes a bow and departs the post-sunset night sky for many months.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2023
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024
Many of the individual TCJA provisions will sunset after 2025 without action from Congress, which will be a key issue for the next president, policy experts say.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sunset 
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Noun
Shots of a lioness silhouetted against a sunset and trees silhouetted against a stormy sky are very detailed; the contours of the lioness and both the texture and color of leaves and bark on the trees come through without looking blown out.
—PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
Think about the jackass, who probably isn’t enjoying a stunning pink-purple sunset.
—Tim Zientek, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Add an elegant outdoor sconce for some post-sunset flow and a cozy pillow.
—Sofia Quintero, ELLE Decor, 28 Mar. 2023
The solar system’s largest planet this week takes a bow and departs the post-sunset night sky for many months.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2023
Verb
Throughout the year, the not-for-profit puts on events like movie nights in the gardens, sunset happy hours with live music, and workshops on how to grow your own native varieties.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024
Many of the individual TCJA provisions will sunset after 2025 without action from Congress, which will be a key issue for the next president, policy experts say.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sunset
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Dictionary Entries Near sunset
Cite this Entry
“Sunset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunset. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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