as in ending
the last part of a process or action
the general announced that the remaining fighting would be only a mop-up to a war that was all but over
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Recent Examples of mop-up
Though Watson has been used in mop-up situations and helped the bullpen in that way, sending down a stronger reliever in Samaniego just to keep Watson on the roster makes the bullpen weaker.
—
Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 24 May 2026
Crews continue mop-up work, improving containment lines and assessments of hazard trees in the area, Backe said.
—Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 20 May 2026
No injuries were reported, but fire crews were expected to remain at the scene through the evening for mop-up work.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 16 May 2026
Rioux played sparingly in two years with the Gators, redshirting as a true freshman during the team’s national championship season and then getting on the court in mop-up duty this past season.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Kyle Hurt and Jake Eder pitched in mop-up duty in the latter innings and each threw a scoreless inning.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
Two days later, Jacob was called into a 6-2 game in the eighth inning for what was seemingly mop-up duty.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
The five courses are available online for free and are prerequisites to obtaining a Firefighter Type II certificate, which is given to entry-level wildland firefighters who are responsible for fire suppression, fuels management and mop-up operations.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
Lovelady made six appearances for the Mets this season in mop-up roles.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 24 May 2026
Crews continue mop-up work, improving containment lines and assessments of hazard trees in the area, Backe said.
—Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 20 May 2026
No injuries were reported, but fire crews were expected to remain at the scene through the evening for mop-up work.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 16 May 2026
Rioux played sparingly in two years with the Gators, redshirting as a true freshman during the team’s national championship season and then getting on the court in mop-up duty this past season.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Kyle Hurt and Jake Eder pitched in mop-up duty in the latter innings and each threw a scoreless inning.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
Two days later, Jacob was called into a 6-2 game in the eighth inning for what was seemingly mop-up duty.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
The five courses are available online for free and are prerequisites to obtaining a Firefighter Type II certificate, which is given to entry-level wildland firefighters who are responsible for fire suppression, fuels management and mop-up operations.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
Lovelady made six appearances for the Mets this season in mop-up roles.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mop-up
Noun
-
Popularized by a beer commercial during the 1986 World Cup, it’s used to rally on teams with its repetitive (albeit nonsensical) syllables as well as its upbeat ending.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
-
Prince also excelled at crafting perfect song endings, and this is undoubtedly one of his best.—
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson,
VIBE.com,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
The officials spoke for roughly two hours, according to a person familiar with the matter, but no announcement has been made since the meeting’s conclusion earlier today.—
Alayna Treene,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Ultimately, the employee retired before the case's conclusion.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
While Carver was born on the farm near the end of the Civil War, visitors today can see a reconstructed cabin marking his birthplace.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
The purpose and the extent of hunting were radically altered by the arrival of European guns and markets—the killing of wild animals became an occupation with commercial ends, for both whites and Indians; and wild hides and wild meat became the goods of an insatiable marketplace.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Catcher Will Smith did not play Sunday because of neck stiffness, despite Roberts predicting the catcher would return for the series finale.—
Liana Handler,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
Taj Bradley is lined up for the series opener and Zebby Matthews for the finale.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Ahead of the finish, Vegas continued its second-period dominance in the series, digging out of a 3-1 hole and making a bit of history in the process; for the first time in Stanley Cup Final history, four games have featured a team rallying from a multi-goal deficit to at least tie the game.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
Villegas clinched the second-place finish for California’s 22nd District Tuesday afternoon following the latest primary election update, according to The Associated Press.—
Mathew Miranda
June 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Prosecutor urges jurors to focus on victim During its closing argument, the state pressed jurors to center their attention on the young life cut short.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
-
Tarrant County Homebuyer Assistance Program For buyers looking outside Fort Worth proper, Tarrant County offers its own down payment and closing-cost assistance program.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The bust marks the culmination of an over two year investigation and the fourth takedown of Trinitarios gang members in Massachusetts since 2019.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
9 June 2026
-
In writing the scene, a culmination of all the tensions between two men who’d known one another since childhood, Gadd had to hold many elements of the show’s plot in mind.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mop-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mop-up. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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