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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Recent Examples of down-to-the-wire
However, here are three positive takeaways from the down-to-the-wire 87-85 Mavericks victory.
—
Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
That also meant there was a flurry of activity in Sacramento last week, with legislators giving the down-to-the-wire OK for bills pertaining to housing, worker safety, public transit projects and more.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 9 June 2025
In a down-to-the-wire race among the six iconic Wienermobiles that serve as goodwill ambassadors for Oscar Mayer, the hot dog-on-wheels representing the Southeast proved to be the big dog on Carb Day ahead of Sunday’s running of the Indianapolis 500.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
But the film also has plenty of down-to-the-wire tension, as when Benji (Simon Pegg) directs a bomb defusion through the fog of his collapsing lung.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
That also meant there was a flurry of activity in Sacramento last week, with legislators giving the down-to-the-wire OK for bills pertaining to housing, worker safety, public transit projects and more.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 9 June 2025
In a down-to-the-wire race among the six iconic Wienermobiles that serve as goodwill ambassadors for Oscar Mayer, the hot dog-on-wheels representing the Southeast proved to be the big dog on Carb Day ahead of Sunday’s running of the Indianapolis 500.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
But the film also has plenty of down-to-the-wire tension, as when Benji (Simon Pegg) directs a bomb defusion through the fog of his collapsing lung.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-to-the-wire
Adjective
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During this time frame, a narrow, intense lake-effect snow band, only about 10 miles wide, will be capable of thunder, wind gusts near 35 mph and near-zero visibility at its peak.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
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The climb is infamous for its heart-pumping switchbacks and vertiginous jaunt along a narrow sliver of crag.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This was a decisive turn away from Hasina’s India-first posture and toward closer alignment with Beijing.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
-
Highly acidic foods like pickles and tomatoes will react with the can after an extended period of time, causing both taste and texture changes so pay particularly close attention to expiration dates on these items.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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As an example, Sopo said that in some majority-Hispanic Congressional districts in South Texas, conservative Latinos ran in races with historically tight margins of victory.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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But Charlotte Republicans are now left wondering how supposed tight races ran away from them and what comes next for their beleaguered party.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Down-to-the-wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down-to-the-wire. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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