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. PetersonExamples of sunset in a Sentence
Noun
We worked from sunrise to sunset.
the golden light of sunset
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Naturalists in the 19th and 20th centuries documented how pairs of various bird species dutifully toiled together building a nest, protecting the eggs, mutually feeding each other and their offspring, before eventually flying off into the sunset together.
—Nathan H. Lents, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025
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
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 16 Apr. 2025
The legislation would sunset new tariffs and tariff increases after 60 days unless Congress passes a joint resolution of approval.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sunset
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Noun
Making one last run to a Super Bowl win would be a great way to ride off into the sunset for one of the most productive tight ends in NFL history.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Naturalists in the 19th and 20th centuries documented how pairs of various bird species dutifully toiled together building a nest, protecting the eggs, mutually feeding each other and their offspring, before eventually flying off into the sunset together.
—Nathan H. Lents, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025
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
Trump holds Easter prayer service and dinner R/FIMI was created after its predecessor, the Global Engagement Center, was forced to sunset in December 2024 following a number of First Amendment lawsuits.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 16 Apr. 2025
The legislation would sunset new tariffs and tariff increases after 60 days unless Congress passes a joint resolution of approval.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sunset
Cite this Entry
“Sunset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunset. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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