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
So, what’s another down-to-the-wire finish for this team?
—
Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025
With two elite quarterbacks, top-tier offenses, and strong defenses, this game has all the ingredients for a down-to-the-wire finish.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025
The first round was a letdown, but then came an instant classic Texas-Arizona State Peach Bowl, two down-to-the-wire semifinals and a big-brand championship game that wasn’t officially over until the final 30 seconds.
—Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
While the coach spoke briefly about his heritage following the down-to-the-wire victory, he’s been open about his background in the past.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025
With two elite quarterbacks, top-tier offenses, and strong defenses, this game has all the ingredients for a down-to-the-wire finish.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025
The first round was a letdown, but then came an instant classic Texas-Arizona State Peach Bowl, two down-to-the-wire semifinals and a big-brand championship game that wasn’t officially over until the final 30 seconds.
—Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
While the coach spoke briefly about his heritage following the down-to-the-wire victory, he’s been open about his background in the past.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-to-the-wire
Adjective
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In March, Stefanik had to give up plans to represent the U.S. at the United Nations amid concerns that House Republicans, working with a narrow majority, couldn’t afford to lose her vote.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
1 May 2025
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The package of tax reductions and sweeping spending cuts faces headwinds from opposition Democrats and some Republicans worried about the federal deficit, and the GOP's narrow House majority leaves no room for error.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Melania Trump wears black veil to Pope Francis' funeral as President Trump dons blue suit As the president's second term in office passes the 100-day mark, here is a closer look at the first lady's lookbook.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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His close alignment with Trump has damaged his tech company brands, and despite being one of the most proactive members of the president's team, his job approval rating has been ranked as even lower than Trump's.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Most engines with two banks of cylinders have a V angle of 60 or perhaps 90 degrees; with a V angle of just 15 degrees, the VR6 engine was able to fit in the tight confines of the Golf's engine bay.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2025
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Size of fines ‘big and scary’ Stephen Shepard, executive vice president of the Denver Metro Building Owners and Managers Association, said the city’s timelines were too tight and the fines too heavy.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
28 Apr. 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 5 May. 2025.
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