wind down

verb

wound down also winded down; winding down; winds down

intransitive verb

1

: to draw gradually toward an end

the party was winding down

2

: relax, unwind

wind down with a good book

transitive verb

: to cause a gradual lessening of usually with the intention of bringing to an end

Synonyms of wind down

• relax
• chill out

Examples of wind down in a Sentence

not being one for alcoholic beverages, I prefer to wind down with a cup of tea every night

Recent Examples on the Web

Even if the Iran war were to wind down, oil prices — and, by extension, gasoline prices — would likely remain elevated above their prewar level, Zandi said. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 10 June 2026

The resort's airy suites with private terraces are ideal for winding down in solitude, while its pool and holistic spa round out the experience. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026

As the game wound down, a banner was draped from Azteca’s top deck. —Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 10 June 2026

Federal immigration officers made more than 4,000 arrests and shot multiple people, two fatally, before Operation Metro Surge wound down in February, leaving an imprint on the psyches of young children that could haunt them for years, mental health providers say. —Moriah Balingit, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for wind down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown