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 rain is expected to begin winding down Thursday night as the storm system moves on.
—
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026
Martin University, Indiana's only predominantly Black higher-education institution, is winding down operations and selling off assets after financial issues forced its leaders to pause classes indefinitely starting this year.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 6 Jan. 2026
It’s 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, 5 Nov. 2025
The growing season may be winding down for the year, but that doesn’t mean that planting time is through.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025
The optional ambient lighting and an aromatherapy tray features add to the calming vibe for winding down before bed.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Many of us have started winding down for the year, but not the world’s top watchmakers.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2025
Plus, the Dutch utility GasTerra, led by Annie Krist, is winding down operations.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
Even amid the excitement, Spare Keg is winding down operations at its outpost in Creede, leaving it with the Poncha Springs and Alamosa locations.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 29 Oct. 2025
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026
Martin University, Indiana's only predominantly Black higher-education institution, is winding down operations and selling off assets after financial issues forced its leaders to pause classes indefinitely starting this year.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 6 Jan. 2026
It’s 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, 5 Nov. 2025
The growing season may be winding down for the year, but that doesn’t mean that planting time is through.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025
The optional ambient lighting and an aromatherapy tray features add to the calming vibe for winding down before bed.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Many of us have started winding down for the year, but not the world’s top watchmakers.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2025
Plus, the Dutch utility GasTerra, led by Annie Krist, is winding down operations.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
Even amid the excitement, Spare Keg is winding down operations at its outpost in Creede, leaving it with the Poncha Springs and Alamosa locations.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winding down
Verb
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Style your living room with new throw pillow covers and blankets, design a relaxing bedroom with natural cotton sheets, set the table with stoneware plates, or make your kitchen even more functional with premium baking dishes and wooden utensils.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
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That must include a lounge set that’s comfy enough for relaxing on the couch but has a polished design that looks put-together when worn out of the house.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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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As the moon and Venus connect, chilling out doesn’t have to be a snooze-fest.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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Screenshots of the viral video show Punky bear chilling out in the poster's pool.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Winding down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winding%20down. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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