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

Earlier this month, Miami-Dade began winding down volunteer advisory boards representing Black, Hispanic and LGBTQ residents, as well as the county’s Commission for Women. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Speaking outside the courthouse, flanked by Haley, Sokola and witnesses in the trial, Allred took a moment to address what this means for the #MeToo movement, which some have suggested is winding down. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

As the war wound down, Olivier was becoming more obsessed with directing, often counting on Leigh as his cultured, measured adviser. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026

But De Santis is also wonderful at the end of the day, when the sun sets and Milan slowly begins to wind down. — Emma Bocchi, Vogue, 21 Sep. 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