sunsetting: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal; primarily used in business, legal, policy, and technical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “sunsetting” mean?
The act of phasing out, discontinuing, or formally terminating a product, service, law, or program, often according to a planned schedule.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of phasing out, discontinuing, or formally terminating a product, service, law, or program, often according to a planned schedule.
Can metaphorically describe the gradual ending or decline of any era, practice, or tradition. In business, implies a managed, deliberate process with a defined end date.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical in both varieties. Possibly slightly more frequent in American corporate and legislative discourse.
Connotations
Neutral to negative, implying obsolescence, strategic withdrawal, or cost-cutting. Rarely used for positive terminations.
Frequency
Low frequency in general speech, but common in specific professional domains.
Grammar
How to Use “sunsetting” in a Sentence
[Company] is sunsetting [product].The sunsetting of [law] will begin in [date].[Entity] announced plans for the sunsetting of [service].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sunsetting” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The government is sunsetting the outdated tax regulation next year.
- After the merger, several duplicate roles are being sunsetted.
American English
- The tech company is sunsetting its legacy email client.
- We will be sunsetting support for that API version in December.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to ending a product line or legacy service, e.g., 'The sunsetting of the old software platform is slated for Q3.'
Academic
Used in public policy or technology history to describe the abolition of laws or standards.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used metaphorically, e.g., 'They're sunsetting the weekly neighbourhood picnic.'
Technical
Common in software development and IT for retiring applications, APIs, or hardware.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sunsetting”
- Using 'sunsetting' for sudden cancellations (implies a plan).
- Confusing it with 'sunset' as a noun for the evening sky.
- Using it in positive contexts (e.g., 'sunsetting a new initiative' is odd).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Sunsetting implies a planned, communicated process leading to termination. Deleting is an immediate technical action.
Yes, its most common use is as a gerund (noun form of the verb), e.g., 'The sunsetting of the project was handled well.'
'Launching' or 'rolling out'. Sometimes 'sunrising' is used playfully as an antonym but is not standard.
Not necessarily. It often means something is outdated, no longer cost-effective, or being replaced by something better. It's a strategic, neutral business term.
The act of phasing out, discontinuing, or formally terminating a product, service, law, or program, often according to a planned schedule.
Sunsetting is usually formal; primarily used in business, legal, policy, and technical contexts. in register.
Sunsetting: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌn.set.ɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌn.set̬.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To put something out to sunset (rare, technical).”
- “On a sunset path/course.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the sun setting on the lifespan of a product, marking the end of its day.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENDINGS ARE SUNSETS; A PROCESS IS A DAY.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'sunsetting' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?