as in to relax
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
not being one for alcoholic beverages, I prefer to wind down with a cup of tea every night
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Recent Examples of wind down
The internal Department of Homeland Security office that oversees detention facilities and conditions is winding down its operations — even as the administration places more people in detention, and for longer stints.
—
Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 7 May 2026
Each is designed to apply the gentle, even pressure that supporters say helps the body wind down before sleep.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
First, there was the stealth appearance of a B-2 Spirit bomber, which glided like a quiet bird in flight as the national anthem, sung by 10-year-old Alexandria Arango, was winding down.
—Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 2026
Morning sun cues the body to ramp up alertness and wind down melatonin in the evening, setting a rhythm that supports steadier energy through the day and easier sleep at night.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wind down
Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 7 May 2026
Each is designed to apply the gentle, even pressure that supporters say helps the body wind down before sleep.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
First, there was the stealth appearance of a B-2 Spirit bomber, which glided like a quiet bird in flight as the national anthem, sung by 10-year-old Alexandria Arango, was winding down.
—Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 2026
Morning sun cues the body to ramp up alertness and wind down melatonin in the evening, setting a rhythm that supports steadier energy through the day and easier sleep at night.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wind down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wind down
Verb
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The heated chamber was thoughtfully oriented toward the lake for a tranquil water view, which allows Henkemeyer to relax, reflect, and connect with her roots.—
Morgan Goldberg,
Architectural Digest,
8 May 2026
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The rest of her look was similarly relaxed, wearing a red scoop-neck midi dress and black, strappy, studded Miu Miu ballet flats.—
Mykenna Maniece,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Think of it as an impossible-to-resist invitation to chill out and get on the same relaxed wavelength as seemingly everyone else on this stretch of the Mexican Caribbean.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
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What had seemed like a good way of chilling out was actually plunging me into a kind of crisis.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wind down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wind%20down. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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