Synonyms of winding up

winding up 1 of 2

adjective

as in ending

Related Words

• ending
• leaving off
• dying (down)
• dying
• passing
• finishing
• concluding
• closing
• letting up
• terminating
• stopping
• ceasing
• lapsing
• expiring
• quitting
• discontinuing
• desisting
• waning
• subsiding
• moderating
• ebbing
• abating

Dissimilar Words

• remaining
• leftover
• residual
• holding up
• keeping up
• lingering
• lasting
• enduring
• abiding
• continuing
• holding on
• persisting
• running on
• biding
• perduring

winding up

2 of 2

verb

present participle of wind up

1

as in finishing

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

• ending
• finishing
• wrapping up
• concluding
• rounding (off or out)
• closing out
• ringing down the curtain (on)
• putting paid to
• closing
• completing
• terminating
• crowning
• climaxing
• perfecting
• suspending
• consummating
• halting
• stopping

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• beginning
• starting
• opening
• commencing
• inaugurating

2

as in stopping

to come to an end

her speeches usually wind up with one last joke

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ending
• stopping
• expiring
• concluding
• ceasing
• winking (out)
• halting
• letting up
• breaking off
• leaving off
• breaking up
• finishing
• passing
• dying
• biting the dust
• terminating
• going
• closing
• determining
• elapsing
• laying off (of)
• refraining (from)
• discontinuing
• lapsing
• packing (up or in)
• stalling
• quitting
• cutting out
• giving over
• dead-ending
• knocking off
• desisting (from)
• winding down
• breaking down
• conking (out)
• petering (out)
• pausing
• suspending
• staying
• abating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hanging on
• continuing
• persisting
• drawing out
• extending
• prolonging
• protracting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of winding up

Verb

The hit sequel follows 10-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) being separated from his family for a second time during a family vacation, and Kevin winding up at the luxurious Plaza Hotel in New York City. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Taking it with you prevents it from winding up in the ocean, or in the mouths of wildlife. — Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 14 July 2026

Some tea strainers feature a mesh casing, which is the best option for preventing small particles from escaping the infuser and winding up in your drink. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026

Then the track left the valley and started winding up to a high, dry plateau. — Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 8 July 2026

This new round of chaos only feeds the anxiety that has enveloped the California Democratic Party for months, stirred by fears that the lack of a singular party front-runner might lead to two Republicans winding up on the November ballot. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026

Newsom is winding up eight years as governor with a mixed record at best. — Tom Philp, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026

The water is naturally filtered in the wetlands before winding up back in the reservoirs. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2025

Bianka could be seen winding up and then throwing an impressive pitch down the plate at Dodgers Stadium to be caught by right fielder Mookie Betts, in a video shared on X by a Los Angeles Lakers fan account. — Charna Flam, People.com, 9 Aug. 2025