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
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
Lovelady made six appearances for the Mets this season in mop-up roles.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
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
Lovelady made six appearances for the Mets this season in mop-up roles.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mop-up
Noun
-
As a researcher tells Mary during the film’s abrupt ending, there are openings to the Backrooms appearing all over the place, and the company is dedicated to uncovering its secrets.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
But not every egg freezing story has such a happy ending.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
The officials spoke for roughly two hours, according to a person familiar with the matter, but no announcement has been made since the meeting’s conclusion earlier today.—
Alayna Treene,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Ultimately, the employee retired before the case's conclusion.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Photographs at either end offer a palpable glimpse into the building's former life.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
My own book details the consequential events at a place called Fort Monroe in Virginia that led directly to Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and the end of American slavery.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Even then, the finale’s other and perhaps more glaring pitfall is an uneven perspective.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
1 June 2026
-
The Angels and Rays will meet Sunday afternoon in the series finale, with the three-game set tied at one game apiece.—
Chantz Martin OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Although the hotel is Japanese inspired, the Peninsula Tokyo incorporates many pan-Asian elements—gilt finishes, flower petal motifs on the carpets, and cherry wood panelling, to name a few.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The trajectory was accompanied from start to finish by the sound of the motor, growing louder then fading away.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
During closing arguments before the jury Tuesday, Grossman’s attorney, Esther Holm, echoed that claim.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Keys is a quintessential New Yorker, so her documentary makes sense as the closing selection for Tribeca.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
And the hotel’s refreshed look, with fabrics designed to mimic the fronds and ferns in the lush gardens outside, is the culmination of a five-year update led by interiors expert Lulu Lytle of Soane Britain.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The evening celebration was a culmination of a series of weeklong activations across the district to celebrate the brand’s foray into in-store retail and in its home base of New York.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mop-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mop-up. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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