1
as in dusk
a time or place of little or no light
lovers would often retreat to the gloaming of the park's many secluded recesses to steal a kiss
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2
as in night
the time from when the sun begins to set to the onset of total darkness
with the gloaming came the familiar call of the whip-poor-will
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Recent Examples of gloaming
The mirror’s surface turned suddenly iridescent, like an oil slick beneath a gloaming.
—
Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
Perhaps swallow-tail bee-eaters, Africa openbill storks, and Burchell’s starlings, their stunning plumage flashing blue-green in the pink-gold gloaming: such sightings lend instant credence to the adage that Africa will make a birder out of anyone.
—Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
There is an excellent chance that one of the world’s two best golfers will be sliding his arms into a green jacket in the sweet gloaming of Sunday evening just outside the Augusta National clubhouse.
—Jason Sobel, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Just across the street was a second landfill, belonging to a Texas company called Weeks Environmental, whose own black mountain—nearly ten million additional barrels of waste—rose into the Texas gloaming.
—Justin Nobel, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
So imagine everyone’s delight when Bennifer reemerged from the gloaming after Lopez split with fiance Alex Rodriguez.
—Travis M. Andrews, Washington Post, 17 July 2022
The game down on the field seems to be played in the gloaming.
—Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 30 Jan. 2022
Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026
Perhaps swallow-tail bee-eaters, Africa openbill storks, and Burchell’s starlings, their stunning plumage flashing blue-green in the pink-gold gloaming: such sightings lend instant credence to the adage that Africa will make a birder out of anyone.
—Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
There is an excellent chance that one of the world’s two best golfers will be sliding his arms into a green jacket in the sweet gloaming of Sunday evening just outside the Augusta National clubhouse.
—Jason Sobel, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Just across the street was a second landfill, belonging to a Texas company called Weeks Environmental, whose own black mountain—nearly ten million additional barrels of waste—rose into the Texas gloaming.
—Justin Nobel, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
So imagine everyone’s delight when Bennifer reemerged from the gloaming after Lopez split with fiance Alex Rodriguez.
—Travis M. Andrews, Washington Post, 17 July 2022
The game down on the field seems to be played in the gloaming.
—Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 30 Jan. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gloaming
Noun
-
Photographer Gary Hershorn captured a dazzling photo of Venus shining to the left of the crescent moon above the One World Trade Center on May 18, as the glow of dusk illuminated the New York City skyline.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
20 May 2026
-
Volvo knows from experience that moose are serious traffic hazards, especially at dusk and dawn.—
Kristin Shaw,
ArsTechnica,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
James Ward Thursday night’s California governor debate underscored just how unsettled — and contentious — the race has become, with candidates repeatedly clashing over crime, election integrity, reproductive rights, and the balance of power between state and local government.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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All eyes were on the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) X Division Championship on Thursday night as Leon Slater looked to retain the title over Cedric Alexander and solidify himself as the longest-reigning X Division champion in the company’s history.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
However, the actor does most of the heavy lifting, even as Nemes’ aesthetic approach drowns the frame in striking shadows — a contrast made deep and inviting by Mátyás Erdély’s 35mm photography.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 May 2026
-
Craters, shadows and rugged lunar terrain that were barely visible to the naked eye suddenly came alive in remarkable detail.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
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The other headliners are rising pop star Zara Larsson, Grammy darling Brandi Carlile, lesbian pop band MUNA, and Carly Rae Jepsen doing a special sunset performance.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
18 May 2026
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In the image, the actress sat in the sand at sunset beside the child, who appeared bundled in a teddy-bear-style outfit, as the pair looked out toward the ocean.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Concrete dust clotted the air, turning the afternoon dark.—
Rania Abouzeid,
New Yorker,
21 May 2026
-
The light-dark contrast that is the hallmark of great lawn striping is achieved by simply bending grass blades to reflect light in a specific way.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
When To See Jupiter Join The Sky Show The crescent moon’s journey through the twilight sky continues over the following evenings.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
James could set a precedent of star players spending their twilight years in glamor markets on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Noun
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The aurora australis can be seen below as a stream of green and pink light hovering over our planet against the blackness of space.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
15 May 2026
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The activity is not unlike the way US and Soviet submarines tailed one another in the Cold War, but instead of running silent and running deep, highly reflective satellites easily stand out against the inky blackness of space.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
15 May 2026
Noun
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The couple rented out Sloomoo Institute, an immersive slime experience, in New York City on Wednesday evening, May 13, to celebrate their son turning 4 alongside close family and friends.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
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That ended the starter’s latest erratic evening.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gloaming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gloaming. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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