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
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
Sanchez, who played eight seasons in the NFL, appeared in two games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2016 in mostly mop-up duty behind Dak Prescott while Tony Romo was sidelined with injury.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 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
Wilson never saw action as starter Bo Nix played every meaningful snap and backup Jarrett Stidham handled the limited mop-up duty.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 27 Aug. 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
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2025
Sanchez, who played eight seasons in the NFL, appeared in two games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2016 in mostly mop-up duty behind Dak Prescott while Tony Romo was sidelined with injury.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 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
Wilson never saw action as starter Bo Nix played every meaningful snap and backup Jarrett Stidham handled the limited mop-up duty.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 27 Aug. 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
-
Steven Spielberg saw the original cut of the film prior to its release in which Katie dies, and convinced Peli to reshoot the more ominous ending where Featherston simply goes missing.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
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Here's the ending of A House of Dynamite, explained.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Although that conclusion remains a subject of debate, the die-off of elkhorn and staghorn corals in Florida could bolster the argument.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The conclusion, according to the researchers?—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Citing climate change concerns and the melting ice sheet, Greenland implemented a moratorium on oil and gas drilling in 2021—seemingly bringing all oil dreams to an end—but the government agreed that White Flame’s licenses were grandfathered and remained valid.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The crypto investment amounted to less than 1% of the total assets managed by the board which was more than $162 billion as of the end of 2024.—
Ricardo Torres,
jsonline.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The likely transatlantic move may be hinted in the Season 5 finale, which debuts Tuesday on Hulu.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
27 Oct. 2025
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The Boots season 1 finale ends with unanswered questions, like the fate of Sullivan and what President Bush's announcement means for Cameron and his crew.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Welbeck passed out to Simon Adingra, then continued his run into the area behind Casemiro, timing his arrival onto Adingra’s cross, after a stepover by Lallana — a decoy once more — for a first-time finish.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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But this being a Phantom, no ordinary paint was used; the clear coat was infused with iridescent particles of crushed glass to give a shimmering finish called Super Champagne Crystal.—
Howard Walker,
Robb Report,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In his closing remarks on Friday, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez urged member states to work together and arrive at an accord over the next year.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
21 Oct. 2025
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Since the April 2022 closing of the $43 billion merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, investors have been dragged into the muck.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The awards evening is the culmination of three days of events in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
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This culmination in Utah, this culmination in Park City, is going to be awesome.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mop-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mop-up. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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