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 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
Despite Operation Metro Surge winding down, Jackson sees what happened in Minnesota as just the beginning.
—Ashley Grams, CBS News, 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
Middlebury College, in Vermont, is similarly winding down its graduate programs in Monterey, California.
—Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
Democrats and Republicans can't agree on ICE Despite news Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, will be winding down operations in Minnesota, lawmakers are at odds over its funding.
—Zachary Schermele, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
For many people, dessert is a nightly ritual—something sweet after dinner to signal the day is winding down.
—Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 11 Feb. 2026
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
Despite Operation Metro Surge winding down, Jackson sees what happened in Minnesota as just the beginning.
—Ashley Grams, CBS News, 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
Middlebury College, in Vermont, is similarly winding down its graduate programs in Monterey, California.
—Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
Democrats and Republicans can't agree on ICE Despite news Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, will be winding down operations in Minnesota, lawmakers are at odds over its funding.
—Zachary Schermele, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
For many people, dessert is a nightly ritual—something sweet after dinner to signal the day is winding down.
—Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winding down
Verb
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The company boasts short wait times, one-on-one time with physicians and a relaxing environment including large, private rooms with baths and televisions, and catered meals.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
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Keep your pup calm with this relaxing sound machine.—
Jessica Moore,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 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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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Winding down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winding%20down. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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