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
The age of species discovery is not winding down.
—
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
Buxton was home in Georgia this off-season, winding down by the fireplace on his patio after a family visit to the Happiest Place On Earth.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
This native perennial produces beautiful daisy-like flowers late in summer into fall, just when many other plants are winding down for the season.
—Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
Operation Metro Surge is winding down, but there are still more federal immigration agents in Minnesota than normal.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
The night, winding down, promised to be memorable.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
That’s the highest year-over-year inflation rate for that category in more than two years (when goods were winding down from the pandemic-era inflationary burst).
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
With the match winding down near the 88th minute, three fans ran onto the pitch.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
Survivor 50 Challenge Like the Road to 50 marathon, the Survivor 50 Challenge is winding down.
—Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
Buxton was home in Georgia this off-season, winding down by the fireplace on his patio after a family visit to the Happiest Place On Earth.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
This native perennial produces beautiful daisy-like flowers late in summer into fall, just when many other plants are winding down for the season.
—Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
Operation Metro Surge is winding down, but there are still more federal immigration agents in Minnesota than normal.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
The night, winding down, promised to be memorable.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
That’s the highest year-over-year inflation rate for that category in more than two years (when goods were winding down from the pandemic-era inflationary burst).
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
With the match winding down near the 88th minute, three fans ran onto the pitch.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
Survivor 50 Challenge Like the Road to 50 marathon, the Survivor 50 Challenge is winding down.
—Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winding down
Verb
-
High Heel Jungle socks combine luxury comfort with performance features designed for both active and relaxing moments.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The best lounge sets work for more than just relaxing around the house.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Part of that is loosening up streamers’ bids for lengthy contract terms on series, potentially in exchange for less money.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
-
As the moon and Venus connect, chilling out doesn’t have to be a snooze-fest.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Winding down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winding%20down. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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