MOP-UP Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

mop-up

noun

ˈmäp-ˌəp

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mop-up

Noun

Pugh-Banks secured three individual gold medals, claiming gold in the all-around final and on the vault and floor exercise, the latter ending in a tie.

— Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Other than Bonnie having a new bestie and Buzz and Jessie getting married, the status quo is essentially unchanged, in contrast to the way the last two installments shook things up in a massive way with their endings.

— Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 20 June 2026