as in ending
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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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stopping
to come to an end
her speeches usually wind up with one last joke
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Recent Examples of winding up
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
The Biden administration took a more restrictive approach toward the export of American AI, primarily through limits on chip sales that sought to prevent the key hardware from winding up in the hands of foreign adversaries such as China.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 30 July 2025
Verb
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
The Biden administration took a more restrictive approach toward the export of American AI, primarily through limits on chip sales that sought to prevent the key hardware from winding up in the hands of foreign adversaries such as China.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 30 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winding up
Verb
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Hong Kong/Hangzhou — Stephen Curry announced a partnership for his signature brand with Li-Ning on Monday, ending his sneaker free agency in a major win for the Chinese sportswear giant.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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Rasmus Hojlund confirmed last month that Napoli’s qualification for the Champions League triggered a clause which will turn his loan deal permanent, ending a three-year spell as a United player.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The latest the series can end is June 17; the shield stopping him from answering questions — not just about his past, but his present and future — is likely to stay in place.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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Texas is split down the middle on which issue should take priority — stopping voter fraud or preventing eligible citizens from being turned away at the ballot box — as a poll shows the split is not a sign of moderation but of deep partisan polarization.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Verb
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But the Goldeneyes struggled in their inaugural season, finishing sixth in the league standings.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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Following his time in Sacramento, Adelman coached the Houston Rockets and the Minnesota Timberwolves, finishing his coaching career after the 2013-14 season with a 1,042-749 record in 23 seasons.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The company said the plan could save customers nearly $3 billion by utilizing expiring tax credits.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
2 June 2026
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The 26-year-old Brazil international has long been tracked by Old Trafford’s recruitment department and appeals in part because of his contract expiring in 2027, which has brought down Atalanta’s asking price.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
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With the primary season wrapping up across the country, the contentious race in Michigan is increasingly seen as a test case for where the party and its base are headed into the November election and beyond.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
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Finally, here’s our own Maris Kreizman, wrapping up the week’s discourse with a neat, sane bow.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Digwa was sentenced to life in prison on Monday, concluding a case that the far-right has co-opted for its false narrative that British institutions, including the police, are biased against White Britons.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
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Federal investigators said their review uncovered broader violations, concluding the district also allowed male students to access female-only facilities and compete on girls' teams.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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Garden centers aren't giving a refund for a dying or dead plant but rather a discount on a new purchase.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
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While this weekend was about celebration, the recent announcement that another USL SL club, the Spokane Zephyr, is ceasing operations after just two seasons, put the overall plans for the league’s growth in question.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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Determined to focus on peace The ceasefire is looking a little more firing and a little less ceasing this morning.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Winding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winding%20up. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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