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
Firefighters then shifted to mop-up operations, extinguishing hotspots within the containment lines.
—
Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2026
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
Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mop-up
Noun
-
For the Knicks, this wasn’t just one season ending.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
-
Here's what Steven Spielberg had to say about that enigmatic ending.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Nonetheless, the series evolves into an elaborate soap opera over its 39 episodes, with complex scheming characters opposing Utena, her relationship with Anthy serving as the lodestar that guides this tragedy towards its ambiguous conclusion.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
12 June 2026
-
Whatever conclusions investigators might reach, the loss of at least 50 souls, and the wounding of dozens more innocents, is an unbearable blow for any community.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Four hours later, the Red Sox reached the end of yet another lackluster performance in a 6-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
By the end of the night, Messi would once again pass Mbappé on that all-time scoring list.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
The Padres could try to get through Sunday’s series finale against the Orioles with Rodolfo Durán as their only true catcher and Ty France as the emergency backup.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2026
-
But experts say that aside from spoiling a finale for fans, such bets could erode the very business of Hollywood.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
An exciting finish to the first half, which saw Spain ratchet up the pressure but fail to score.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
-
Reflective finishes, whether incorporated through furniture details, lighting, or accessories, help amplify both natural and artificial light, while adding visual depth.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Community partners currently leasing space in the facility also will operate as usual until the closing date, the YMCA said.—
DIAMOND VENCES,
Charlotte Observer,
17 June 2026
-
First, Dad’s damp basement office, then, the sound of Dad’s voice reciting the opening and closing stanzas.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
In a way, the character is the culmination of four decades of Root observation.—
Stephen Rodrick,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2026
-
The gala for the James Beard Award — essentially the Oscars of the restaurant industry — was held in Chicago on the evening of June 15, the culmination of a months-long season that started with six KC-area restaurants, chefs, bars and bartenders as 2026 semifinalists.—
Katelyn Umholtz,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mop-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mop-up. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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