as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors
a down-to-the-wire contest for the pennant
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Recent Examples of down-to-the-wire
Some chains might have their lights off for the holiday, but others, like Dollar General, are staying open for down-to-the-wire purchases.
—
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
Another super-small spread (-1 for the Jags) hints at down-to-the-wire showmanship.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Given the precedent set by U.S. President Donald Trump for last-minute deadline changes and down-to-the-wire deals, that does leave room for the situation to change.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025
There is always some down-to-the-wire confusion when high-profile companies are fighting for their financial futures.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
Another super-small spread (-1 for the Jags) hints at down-to-the-wire showmanship.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Given the precedent set by U.S. President Donald Trump for last-minute deadline changes and down-to-the-wire deals, that does leave room for the situation to change.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025
There is always some down-to-the-wire confusion when high-profile companies are fighting for their financial futures.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-to-the-wire
Adjective
-
Zero tankers transited the Strait of Hormuz Wednesday, a narrow channel just off Iran’s southern coast that’s normally packed with an armada of 60 or more ships carrying 20% of the world’s oil.—
Vanessa Yurkevich,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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The narrow Strait is the only way for tankers to enter and exit the Persian Gulf.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Bruins increased their advantage to 18 points on Dailey’s dunk less than five minutes into the second half and the visitors got no closer than nine the rest of the way.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Check the Tarrant County wait time map for the closest polling location and to check wait times for each party.—
Rachel Royster
Updated March 3,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Each of the robot’s six wheel systems contains its own motor, allowing precise movement and 360-degree turning in tight spaces.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Instead of feeling generous, the space feels tight and overworked, with chairs competing for attention and elbow room.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Down-to-the-wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down-to-the-wire. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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