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
In for what proved to be only 2:07 of mop-up duty in Indiana’s rout, Johnson received a technical foul with 57.3 seconds to play amid an altercation and was ejected.
—
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2025
Firefighters remain on scene to address any new hot spots and will continue mop-up and patrol operations to ensure the area is secure.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 21 June 2025
Both players held pregame news conferences before their first games, but only one talked about getting dominated in High-A.
Miley pitched later that night in mop-up duty against his old team, the Brewers.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Wade Miley, who was signed to step into Greene’s spot in the rotation, gave up four runs in the last two innings of mop-up duty.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 4 June 2025
Crews will focus on suppression repair, addressing areas damaged by the fire, as well as mop-up operations.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
Operational focus will include deep mop-up, hazard tree mitigation, and preparation for potential weather shifts in the coming days.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2025
DeSmith hadn’t played in more than a month, his mop-up duty in Game 4 of the first round his only action since the end of the regular season.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Resources will continue mop-up operations for the next few hours.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 May 2025
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2025
Firefighters remain on scene to address any new hot spots and will continue mop-up and patrol operations to ensure the area is secure.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 21 June 2025
Both players held pregame news conferences before their first games, but only one talked about getting dominated in High-A.
Miley pitched later that night in mop-up duty against his old team, the Brewers.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Wade Miley, who was signed to step into Greene’s spot in the rotation, gave up four runs in the last two innings of mop-up duty.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 4 June 2025
Crews will focus on suppression repair, addressing areas damaged by the fire, as well as mop-up operations.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
Operational focus will include deep mop-up, hazard tree mitigation, and preparation for potential weather shifts in the coming days.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2025
DeSmith hadn’t played in more than a month, his mop-up duty in Game 4 of the first round his only action since the end of the regular season.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Resources will continue mop-up operations for the next few hours.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mop-up
Noun
-
This ending brought a sense of closure to Marge, who is now in heaven with Beatles member Ringo Starr.—
Carson Blackwelder,
People.com,
25 June 2025
-
But championship stories demand perfect endings, and Charlotte’s power play couldn’t provide one.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
That said, this bit felt like a very important emotional conclusion, that real change had finally been achieved between these two characters.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
23 June 2025
-
What is a totalitarian leader other than an individualist taking that creed to its cruel conclusions, erasing the uniqueness of every other person into mere characters in a drama?—
Ed Simon
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
The New Zealand team Auckland City began the Club World Cup as the tournament’s fall guys, losing 10-0 against the German champions Bayern Munich, but by the end of the group stage, the semi-professional outfit earned respect by holding Boca Juniors to a draw.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
27 June 2025
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By the end of the second act of the episode, Francie and Sugar make up their differences.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Case in point: In the USA’s 2-1 victory over Haiti in its Group D finale in the Concacaf Gold Cup on Sunday, June 22, Agyemang was denied by goalkeeper John Placide in the 24th minute.—
Michael Lewis,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
-
The first season depicts the early life of the biblical figure David, with a series finale centered on David’s fight with the giant Goliath.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
Just a few spritzes deliver soft volume, matte texture, and that effortlessly undone finish.—
Jennifer Hussein,
Allure,
30 June 2025
-
Her displays deep in United’s midfield were key to their third-place league finish and subsequent Champions League qualification, as well as a third trip to the FA Cup final.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Slavik’s closing arguments are expected to last the entirety of Thursday, with the defense prepared to give their side on Friday before the jury begins deliberations on Monday.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
26 June 2025
-
Following presentations from prosecutors and Combs' attorneys, which wrapped June 24, the trial will now enter closing arguments before the jury is sent into deliberations.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Harvard alleged the revocation was the culmination of a retaliatory campaign by the Trump administration on academic freedom at Harvard.—
Alexandra Koch , Bill Mears,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2025
-
Washington said that was the culmination of a day in which Enright and the Angels were frustrated with Ortiz.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mop-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mop-up. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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