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
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
Crews continue to strengthen mop-up efforts around structures and reinforce perimeter control lines to ensure the fire remains within its current footprint.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
Containment is along the south edge of the fire, and fire crews are using hand tools and heavy equipment to work the northwest, west and southwest areas of the fire, while mop-up work continues on other areas of the western section.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 18 July 2025
Robert began the eighth only because Thomson and his coaches assessed the situation and deemed him worthy over rookie Seth Johnson and Joe Ross, the $4 million mop-up man.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Firefighters remain on scene conducting heavy mop-up operations.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2025
In for what proved to be only 2:07 of mop-up duty in Indiana’s rout, Johnson received a technical foul with 57.3 seconds to play amid an altercation and was ejected.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2025
Firefighters remain on scene to address any new hot spots and will continue mop-up and patrol operations to ensure the area is secure.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 21 June 2025
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
Crews continue to strengthen mop-up efforts around structures and reinforce perimeter control lines to ensure the fire remains within its current footprint.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
Containment is along the south edge of the fire, and fire crews are using hand tools and heavy equipment to work the northwest, west and southwest areas of the fire, while mop-up work continues on other areas of the western section.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 18 July 2025
Robert began the eighth only because Thomson and his coaches assessed the situation and deemed him worthy over rookie Seth Johnson and Joe Ross, the $4 million mop-up man.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Firefighters remain on scene conducting heavy mop-up operations.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2025
In for what proved to be only 2:07 of mop-up duty in Indiana’s rout, Johnson received a technical foul with 57.3 seconds to play amid an altercation and was ejected.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2025
Firefighters remain on scene to address any new hot spots and will continue mop-up and patrol operations to ensure the area is secure.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 21 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mop-up
Noun
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The ending to our season really speaks to that question.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
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It was released from trigeminal nerve endings surrounding cranial blood vessels.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Following the conclusion of its 2025 flagship festival in Montréal, Just For Laughs has announced the winners of its inaugural Shorts & Pilots Program, recognizing emerging comedic talent and original storytelling across short and pilot formats.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The consultants’ recent conclusions were revealing.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Trump officials counter that the chips represent lower-tier technology and the highest end of the US chip stack isn’t will remain blocked.—
Phil Mattingly,
CNN Money,
13 Aug. 2025
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If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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His character was famously thought to be dead in the season 2 finale after a tornado destroyed the store.—
Lauren Huff Published,
EW.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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New episodes will be released weekly through the Season 1 finale on September 23.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The scenic half marathon is from the Cabrillo National Monument at the tip of Point Loma, along San Diego Bay, Harbor Island, Embarcadero, past the Star of India, through downtown San Diego to a finish in historic Balboa Park.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Aug. 2025
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Finally, its real wood finish, coming in four stylish colors, can match any home’s vibe.—
Jacorey Moon,
Architectural Digest,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The closing of Sun Fresh follows The Merc Co+op at 501 Minnesota Ave.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
12 Aug. 2025
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Those moves come after the Nasdaq Composite ended last week at fresh closing highs, and the S&P 500 closed on the threshold of another milestone.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Next year will mark the culmination of its Jubilee Year celebrations, and through January, the city will continue to host pilgrimage events, public art installations, and expanded museum programming.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
4 Aug. 2025
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Where to Eat Food in Argentina’s northwest is hearty, and a culmination of Andean and indigenous influences.—
Carola Fresno,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mop-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mop-up. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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