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
On the western side, firefighters continued mop-up operations near structures and held fire lines established during earlier burnout efforts.
—
Christopher Harris, CBS News, 27 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
Veteran big man Charles Bassey, who is nearing the end of his second 10-day contract with the Celtics, went 3-for-3 in mop-up duty.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 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.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 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.
—Mark Long, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Christopher Harris, CBS News, 27 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
Veteran big man Charles Bassey, who is nearing the end of his second 10-day contract with the Celtics, went 3-for-3 in mop-up duty.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 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.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 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.
—Mark Long, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mop-up
Noun
-
This happy ending was by no means guaranteed, and Habermas’s work as a theorist and polemicist made an important contribution to it.—
Adam Kirsch,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
-
With the biopic undergoing 22 additional shooting days last May to film a new ending, Deadline reported that Lionsgate was considering splitting the film into two parts.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Friday night was supposed to be the conclusion.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
-
In response, members of the prosecution team attempted to provide more context in public interviews, explaining the ATF's conclusions while noting the defendant was innocent until proven guilty, Ballard wrote.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Toward the end of 2023, Dukes was arrested after leading police on a high-speed chase from west suburban Oak Brook to Chicago.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The Bruins managed to keep it tight through the end of the first, with the Sabres taking that 1-0 lead into the first intermission.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Farmer has since made the most of the opportunity given to him the past three months, making the opening day roster and finding his way into eight of the team’s 34 games ahead of Sunday’s series finale against the Rockies.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
3 May 2026
-
After winning the series opener 11-9 in thrilling fashion Friday afternoon, Miami lost the second game of its Friday doubleheader 13-6 before also dropping the series finale 12-7 on Saturday night.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Priced between $8 million and $12 million, they are designed as turnkey residences, with layouts, finishes, and interiors already planned.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
-
For more of a statement finish, Clooney also accessorized the look with gold pieces, such as a Begum Khan clutch and pointy metallic pumps.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Officers established a perimeter around the 300 block of Gibson Drive, closing roadways west of the scene near Trehowell and Castaic drives, along with several side streets, the Roseville Police Department said.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
During closing arguments, Lynn Johnson, an attorney for Christine and Christopher Nolte, suggested the jury award $10 million for noneconomic damages and $5 million for economic damages.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The feat was the culmination of a shift—or, perhaps more aptly, a total disruption—in marathoning over the past few years, in which the eventual breaking of the mythical two-hour mark went from an impossibility to a guarantee.—
Alex Hutchinson,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
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The appointment, which requires Senate confirmation, appears to mark the culmination of a chaotic appointment process for a vacancy on the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners, which controls Kansas City’s police department.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mop-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mop-up. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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