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 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
Rioux enters his redshirt freshman season with the Gators pushing to even get on the court during mop-up time when games are decided.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2025
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
Rioux enters his redshirt freshman season with the Gators pushing to even get on the court during mop-up time when games are decided.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mop-up
Noun
-
With the ending of placements at the Civic and city-funded rooms in other CoLEAD shelters, safety ambassadors who were paid to quell the violence on Third Avenue turned to other shelter organizations.—
Ashley Hiruko,
ProPublica,
6 Oct. 2025
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Safdie only made slight changes to the ending, like adding a conversation Kerr has with a doctor after the loss.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Just two years after Riverdale came to its dramatic conclusion, Archie Andrews is plotting his return to television screens once again — and, this time around, things are about to get a whole lot spookier.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Oct. 2025
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The authors reached their conclusions after analyzing data from the Trøndelag Health Study.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But if nothing else, this new environment should give Okoro breathing room to find his footing on the other end.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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As our colleagues at Bleacher Report wrote, ticket prices for the Los Angeles Lakers surged as speculation grew that James might actually be announcing the end of his playing career.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The following sequence, from the Wizards’ season finale in Miami, illustrates Sarr’s abilities to protect the rim, handle the ball in the open court and pass.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Joanna, 47, also serves as the finale's guest judge.—
Ana Calderone,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Cotton or linen blends work if treated with a water-repellant finish (like Scotchgard), while Polyester, nylon, or olefin (polypropylene) are strong, budget-friendly, and inherently stain resistant.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Oct. 2025
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Key elements range from Cipollino marble to bronze finishes.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The full composition of the ownership group is expected to be finalized by the closing of the deal, which could come in early 2026.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
In addition, Zacapa, the premium main sponsor of spirits at LAFS, will once again present the Visionary of the Year Award during the summit’s closing cocktail ceremony.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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So her excellent new Showgirl feels like the culmination of so many of her favorite stories.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
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On October 6th, the Aries Full Moon rises, bringing to culmination storylines that began back on March 29th, 2025, when the Aries Solar Eclipse cracked open new paths for us.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mop-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mop-up. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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