as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors
a down-to-the-wire contest for the pennant
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of down-to-the-wire
The result is some down-to-the-wire races in several major categories.
—
David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
One of the more memorable high school basketball postseasons in recent memory — highlighted with back-to-back, down-to-the-wire North Coast Section boys games at San Leandro High School on Saturday night — feeds into this week’s CIF Northern California tournament, which opens Tuesday.
—Mitch Stephens, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Mar. 2026
That stress and pressure presented itself in a down-to-the-wire finish.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Fresh off a historic state championship title, the Saint Mary's varsity football team is back in Stockton after a nail-biting down-to-the-wire win in Southern California against Bakersfield Christian.
—Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
One of the more memorable high school basketball postseasons in recent memory — highlighted with back-to-back, down-to-the-wire North Coast Section boys games at San Leandro High School on Saturday night — feeds into this week’s CIF Northern California tournament, which opens Tuesday.
—Mitch Stephens, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Mar. 2026
That stress and pressure presented itself in a down-to-the-wire finish.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Fresh off a historic state championship title, the Saint Mary's varsity football team is back in Stockton after a nail-biting down-to-the-wire win in Southern California against Bakersfield Christian.
—Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-to-the-wire
Adjective
-
Malaysian diver Lee Kian Lie told CNN that rescue divers were teaching the villagers how to dive out of the cave themselves, as the space is narrow and water levels are not coming down despite efforts to pump the water out.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Delegates to the state conventions don’t mirror the broader electorate, and their candidate selections can often represent more narrow preference of the party base.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Villegas was projected as the second candidate to advance on Tuesday, a week after the election, after a close contest.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
-
There is still just something about being part of the mood of the whole nation, and being up that close to see it, that is really cool.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
The 7th Assembly District produced one of the region’s tightest races.—
Evelyn Ronan,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
-
Pelvic floor disorders can occur when these muscles and tissues are too weak or too tight or don’t facilitate the proper functioning of these organs for other reasons.—
Stacey Colino,
Time,
9 June 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 11 Jun. 2026.
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