as in relaxing
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 winding down
Their rare testimonies, backed by aid and conflict data, depict permissive rules of engagement, rising Palestinian deaths — including children — and commanders signaling Israel is entrenching, not winding down, its Gaza campaign.
—
Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
The center has been winding down its programming and has already dismissed most of its programming staff.
—Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 29 May 2026
The Boilermakers federal racketeering conspiracy trial in Kansas City, Kansas, is winding down, with closing arguments scheduled for Monday as the case enters its fifth week.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026
The site will be winding down in phases over the next six weeks.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 28 May 2026
The campaign By the time Simpson’s case ended in 2005, DirecTV’s mass lawsuit campaign was already winding down.
—ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
The safest approach is to wait until the interview is winding down or the AI agent explicitly invites you to ask questions.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
As a race on Sunday, May 10 at Watkins Glen International was winding down, the driver requested medical attention after finishing.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
The show is designed to teach life skills through music, from trying new veggies to winding down for bed, with songs and content that have become a go-to resource for millions of parents looking to learn and bond with their children.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
The center has been winding down its programming and has already dismissed most of its programming staff.
—Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 29 May 2026
The Boilermakers federal racketeering conspiracy trial in Kansas City, Kansas, is winding down, with closing arguments scheduled for Monday as the case enters its fifth week.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026
The site will be winding down in phases over the next six weeks.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 28 May 2026
The campaign By the time Simpson’s case ended in 2005, DirecTV’s mass lawsuit campaign was already winding down.
—ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
The safest approach is to wait until the interview is winding down or the AI agent explicitly invites you to ask questions.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
As a race on Sunday, May 10 at Watkins Glen International was winding down, the driver requested medical attention after finishing.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
The show is designed to teach life skills through music, from trying new veggies to winding down for bed, with songs and content that have become a go-to resource for millions of parents looking to learn and bond with their children.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winding down
Verb
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In the Executive and Premier One-Bedroom Suites, a separate living room adds a place for gathering or relaxing while someone else is asleep.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
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Nestled right in the heart of the Uptown neighborhood, this two-bedroom Magic Cottage will give you a taste of Victorian flair with its original architectural details and two living rooms (one for relaxing, and another for pre-dinner drinks).—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
After the ceasefire, oil prices plunged and bond yields fell, loosening up some of the cost crunch for consumers and businesses alike.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Dulude suggests loosening up the food particles on the microwave walls by placing a bowl of water inside with half a lemon and using a high setting to boil the water.—
Lori Keong,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
If holiday burnout has you in the mood for rest and relaxation, the star advises taking a break to enjoy one of her favorite holiday traditions—chilling out at home with the family.—
Essence,
Essence,
15 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Winding down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winding%20down. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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