wind down

verb

wound down also winded down; winding down; winds down
Synonyms of wind downnext

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The rain is expected to begin winding down Thursday night as the storm system moves on. Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026 On Monday morning, the Sierra Avalanche Center reported that the recent storm was beginning to wind down, but warned that avalanche risks remained elevated due to strong winds and unstable snow. Daniel Hunt january 5, Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026 Martin University, Indiana's only predominantly Black higher-education institution, is winding down operations and selling off assets after financial issues forced its leaders to pause classes indefinitely starting this year. Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 6 Jan. 2026 In the third lawsuit, a federal judge in Miami last summer ordered the facility to wind down operations over two months because officials had failed to do a review of the detention center’s environmental impact. Mike Schneider, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wind down

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of wind down was in 1944

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wind down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wind%20down. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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