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
The newspaper cited other text messages as saying that firefighters were complaining that commanders failed to make sure the mop-up duty at the site was complete.
—
Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 31 Oct. 2025
While both of them were mop-up appearances to save the bullpen, the team saw some things to be excited about.
—Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Joe Milton went in there, mop-up duty, played well.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2025
Wilson, who has started 33 NFL games and owns a 12-21 record in those starts, played in a mop-up role against the Colts, completing 5-of-8 passes, throwing for 32 yards this season.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2025
In typical fashion, Trump’s team spent the weekend on mop-up, issuing clarifications and corrections.
—Patricia Lopez, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
At the plate, the Tigers have averaged just 2.5 runs a game over their 10-game cratering; in the rotation … well, Chris Paddack has mop-up duty in the bullpen and Charlie Morton is unemployed.
—Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Fire crews were also actively engaged in mop-up efforts, searching for any remaining hotspots or burning materials along the perimeter of the fire.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The veteran Brubaker had been working as a long/mop-up man in the Yankees’ bullpen.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2025
Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 31 Oct. 2025
While both of them were mop-up appearances to save the bullpen, the team saw some things to be excited about.
—Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Joe Milton went in there, mop-up duty, played well.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2025
Wilson, who has started 33 NFL games and owns a 12-21 record in those starts, played in a mop-up role against the Colts, completing 5-of-8 passes, throwing for 32 yards this season.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2025
In typical fashion, Trump’s team spent the weekend on mop-up, issuing clarifications and corrections.
—Patricia Lopez, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
At the plate, the Tigers have averaged just 2.5 runs a game over their 10-game cratering; in the rotation … well, Chris Paddack has mop-up duty in the bullpen and Charlie Morton is unemployed.
—Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Fire crews were also actively engaged in mop-up efforts, searching for any remaining hotspots or burning materials along the perimeter of the fire.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The veteran Brubaker had been working as a long/mop-up man in the Yankees’ bullpen.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mop-up
Noun
-
Did the 'Christy' ending happen in real life?—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The ending of the film certainly leaves it open to the possibility.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
As the train hurtles toward its final destination, mother and daughter must confront both their past and the paranormal – before the journey reaches a deadly conclusion.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The tariffs case in most respects appears to be an instance in which the conservative Justices would favor limiting executive power, but the idea that foreign affairs and emergencies are different may muddy that conclusion.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
September marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which Beijing commemorated with a massive military parade.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
12 Nov. 2025
-
Growth Growth measures how well students performed on the end-of-year tests when compared with the previous year's results.—
Dmitry Martirosov,
Arkansas Online,
12 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The broadcaster confirmed on Monday that the show, which aired its Season 1 finale last week to 11 million viewers, will return with a new crop of stars next year.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
-
At eight seasons and 101 episodes (the final installment will run for 10 episodes) by the time of the series finale, Outlander is the longest-running original series in Starz history.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Can Green Bay finish drives with touchdowns without Kraft, who has hauled in six of Love's 13 TD passes this year?—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The lid distributes the heat evenly while collecting steam that drips back onto the turkey for a flavorful, juicy finish.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The closing session at the end of the two weeks is often delayed, sometimes by more than a day, as negotiators work around the clock to hash out a final agreement.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Shortly before the blackout began, Disney announced the closing of a deal to take 70% control of Fubo last month, giving it 6 million pay-TV subscribers on Fubo and Hulu + Live TV.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Livelsberger’s actions are the subject of a months-long ABC News investigation into the special forces operator and the explosion that marked the culmination of his life.—
Tonya Simpson,
ABC News,
11 Nov. 2025
-
That performance was an abomination, a culmination of all the things that have been wrong with the Oilers this season in earning just six wins through their first 16 games.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mop-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mop-up. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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