Thesaurus results for COUNTDOWN

countdown

noun

Definition of countdown

as in preliminary

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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.

Recent Examples of countdown After a countdown, Rand helped flip a large ceremonial switch, relighting the sign as fireworks followed. — Tyler Quattrin, Twin Cities, 7 Aug. 2026 Demands Are Only Growing What accelerates the countdown to failure is that the job keeps getting bigger. — Thomas Ryd, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 One Night Only is literally all contrivance, as attested to by the countdown clocks posted everywhere to alert everyone as to when the Sex Purge will be over. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026 What’s worse, the countdown clock that gave Braun’s screenplay its propulsive feel becomes almost meaningless onscreen. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for countdown

Recent Examples of Synonyms for countdown

Noun

But all of that was just the preliminaries for Grady Emerson.

— John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026
The meet continues Thursday, a day consisting largely of women’s preliminaries, followed by men’s finals Friday and women’s finals Saturday.

— Mike Wilson, New York Times, 11 June 2026

Definition of preliminary

Noun

Trump has alternated between threats and diplomatic overtures to get the job done, but the war is now approaching six months with no end in sight.

— Zac Anderson, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
The letter’s contents were confirmed to Deadline by multiple people with knowledge of Anson’s overture.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of overture

Noun

The Valkyries took off in the second quarter after another slow start, ending the first half on an 11-0 run on the way to a 44-28 lead at the break.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Nolan McLean recovered from a shaky start to last six effective innings as the last-place Mets (57-69) won for the 10th time in 13 games since selling big at the trade deadline.

— CBS New York Team, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of start

Noun

Cooper—who is reportedly in Paris to film a prelude to Ocean’s Eleven with Margot Robbie—was not pictured.

— Lara Walsh, InStyle, 10 Aug. 2026
Marvel services fans with a bevy of delightful Easter eggs, but the film works better as an extended prelude to Endgame than as its own story.

— EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of prelude

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countable

countdown

countdowns

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“Countdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countdown. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of countdown

noun

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