1
as in to end
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point
try to wind up the performance, as we're almost out of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stop
to come to an end
her speeches usually wind up with one last joke
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in ending
the last part of a process or action
wait until the windup of your sales pitch before giving up any information about the product's price point
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of wind up
Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
And as the number of pets goes up, many people wind up giving up their animal, overcrowding shelters.
—Margret Grebowicz, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Steve Futterman, NPR, 9 Sep. 2025
Buy a couple of in-line, windup timers.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wind up
Verb
Palmdale and Lancaster — some of the poorest cities in the county — could wind up with some of the highest sales tax rates in the state if the measure passes.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
And as the number of pets goes up, many people wind up giving up their animal, overcrowding shelters.
—Margret Grebowicz, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
Two and two to Harvey Kuenn, one strike away, Sandy into his windup.
—Steve Futterman, NPR, 9 Sep. 2025
Buy a couple of in-line, windup timers.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wind up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wind up
Verb
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As soon as our interview ended, the seven idols disappeared to change outfits for an evening rehearsal, and returned minutes later, slurping down steaming cups of ramyeon.—
Rebecca Cairns,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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His night ended amid a storm of laughing students and obscene gestures.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Venezuela - once Cuba's top supplier - effectively stopped sending shipments in mid-December.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
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The government also stopped collecting and reporting crucial survey findings on transgender students — data that have shown higher rates of depression, drug use, bullying and other problems.—
Mike Stobbe,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Edwards forced overtime with a clutch three-pointer before Scottie Barnes hit a game-ending, overtime three-pointer for his team in the opening mini-game against the World.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Astronomers are used to dramatic endings.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Yet few in Thailand’s volatile political arena are ever entirely finished.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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If none of these private stations pans out, the only LEO outpost left when the ISS crashes back to Earth will likely be Tiangong, the three-module station that China finished building in late 2022.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement cannot re-detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia because a 90-day detention period has expired and the government has no viable plan for deporting him, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday.—
Travis Loller,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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Clark led players through negotiations that led to an agreement in December 2016, about 3 1/2 hours before the prior deal was set to expire, and another in March 2022 after a 99-day lockout.—
Ronald Blum,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The researchers warned there are many variables, so their work may not necessarily lead to a tidy conclusion.—
Julian Dossett,
Space.com,
20 Feb. 2026
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At the conclusion of the interview, Falchuk left Dane to address a camera alone, leaving his last words for family, friends, and fans.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That concludes today’s Sports Report Olympic Edition newsletter.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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Serafini, who wanted to testify in his trial but was advised not to, concluded his testimony Friday morning in the evidentiary hearing.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Paramount Skydance has also sent a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance, making similar accusations, Variety reported over the weekend.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
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Oil imports from Venezuela have ceased since Washington toppled its leader last month, cutting Cuba’s main source of energy.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wind up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wind%20up. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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