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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of down-to-the-wire
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
Another week, another down-to-the-wire win for Denver.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 2 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
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
Another week, another down-to-the-wire win for Denver.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 2 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-to-the-wire
Adjective
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But our understanding of pedantry, denoting the sticklerishness of academic specialists and grammar obsessives, is a relatively narrow one.—
Clare Bucknell,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
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Of course, the narrow bench-style seat will also help shorter riders flat-foot the motorcycle perfectly.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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After entering the game tied at 3 in the ninth, Mets closer Devin Williams allowed two runs in a disastrous final frame to fall to the Twins 5-3 and record their 12th loss in a row, their longest streak since 2002.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Two Southwest Airlines jets got dangerously close near Nashville on Saturday, triggering collision alarms.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Organizers now hold the Israeli gathering at undisclosed venues and under tight security, broadcasting to multiple sites for those who wish to participate remotely.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
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Kevin May, a Delta A350 captain who is directly involved with the GEESE project, compares the flight pattern to cycling in tight packs.—
Megan Wollerton,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Apr. 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 28 Apr. 2026.
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