暮れ・暮|くれkure[0]heiban (flat)

1. adverb, no-adjective, noun (suffix)sunset; sundown; nightfall; dusk
2. adverb, no-adjective, noun (suffix)end; close
3. adverb, no-adjective, noun (suffix)year-end; end of the year

• Synonym夕暮れゆうぐれNeutralRefers to evening or dusk (「夕暮れの空」) with a lyrical feel; in daily speech 「夕方」 is more common, and it never means year-end.
• Synonym日暮れひぐれNeutralRefers to the time the sun sets (「日暮れ前に帰る」), focusing on the sky going dark; unlike 「暮れ」 it cannot mean year-end.
• Synonym黄昏たそがれWrittenWritten word for dusk that also figuratively means one's twilight years or melancholy (「人生の黄昏」) — extended senses 「暮れ」 lacks.
• Synonym夕刻ゆうこくWrittenWritten word for the evening hours (「夕刻から雨」), typical of news reports and official documents; say 「夕方」 in daily life.
• Synonym夕方ゆうがたNeutralThe most general word for early evening, roughly 3 to 6 pm; it has none of 「暮れ」's year-end sense.
• Synonym日没にちぼつWrittenWritten word for the phenomenon of the sun setting (「日没時刻」), common in astronomy and weather reports; no year-end sense.
• Synonym日の入りひのいりNeutralSunset and its exact time (「日の入りを見る」), the counterpart of 「日の出」; it carries no year-end meaning.
• Synonym火灯し頃ひともしごろWrittenWritten word for lamp-lighting time with an archaic flavor; in everyday speech just say 「夕方」 or 「日暮れ」.
• Synonym入り方いりがたWrittenWritten and rare; the time the sun or moon sets, not limited to the sun. It carries no year-end sense.
• Synonym暮れ方くれがたNeutralThe time just before dark; slightly written in tone. It covers only the evening, not year-end; 「夕方」 is the everyday choice.
• Synonym夕まぐれゆうまぐれWrittenLiterary word for the twilight after sunset while the sky is still light; in everyday use say 「夕暮れ」.
• Synonym夕闇ゆうやみWrittenWritten word for the darkness of evening (「夕闇が迫る」); it stresses the dimness itself, while 「暮れ」 stresses the time of day.
• Synonym入相いりあいWrittenArchaic written word for sunset or the evening bell (「入相の鐘」); in daily speech say 「日暮れ」.
• Synonym薄暮はくぼWrittenWritten word for the dim hours around sunset (「薄暮の空」), also seen in traffic-safety notices; say 「夕方」 in daily life.
• SynonymサンセットNeutralLoanword for sunset or the sunset hour, common in shop names and tourism (「サンセットクルーズ」); no year-end sense.
• Synonym薄暮れうすぐれWrittenRare written word for the moment the sky first starts to darken; say 「夕暮れ」 or 「日暮れ」 in everyday speech.
• Synonym黄昏時たそがれどきWrittenLiterary word for dusk as a time of day; it covers only the evening, and 「夕方」 is the everyday choice.
• Related夕ゆうNeutralThe same word as the entry above, with 「夕」 simply another spelling. When it means last night, as in 「ゆうべは眠れなかった」, it is ordinary colloquial usage.
• Related年末ねんまつNeutralYear-end (「年末年始」), the standard term in work and business schedules; to say year-end, 「暮れ」 is the more colloquial choice.
• Related年の暮れとしのくれNeutralThe year's end with a seasonal feel (「年の暮れの大掃除」); it spells out the year-end meaning more clearly than 「暮れ」 alone.
• Related夕べゆうべNeutralEvening, or an evening given to an event as in 「音楽の夕べ」, an elegant usage; it can also mean last night.
• Related逢魔が時おうまがときWrittenWritten word for the twilight hour when one might meet demons and spirits, with a folkloric flavor; to say 'evening' in general use 「夕方」.
• Related歳晩さいばんWrittenWritten word for the year's end, found mainly in haiku and letters; in daily life say 「年末」 or 「年の暮れ」.
• Antonym朝あさNeutralMorning; it contrasts with 「暮れ」 in its evening sense, not with the year-end sense.
• Antonym明け方あけがたNeutralDawn or daybreak; it contrasts with 「暮れ」's dusk sense, stressing the moment the sky first lightens.

For the evening hours, 「夕方」 is the everyday word; use 「夕暮れ」 or 「黄昏」 for a lyrical tone and 「夕刻」 in news or official writing. For year-end, 「年末」 and 「年の暮れ」 are standard, and 「暮れ」 on its own usually means year-end. The opposites are 「朝」 and 「明け方」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 日ひが暮くれること。
2. 年末ねんまつ。