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
Last week, oil prices dropped more than 12% on hopes that the Islamabad talks would lead to an off-ramp for the administration to start winding down the war.
—
Steve Kopack, NBC news, 12 Apr. 2026
When the White House proposed winding down SLS and the Orion spacecraft after just three flights in its budget request to Congress last May, lobbyists from contractors like Boeing and Lockheed Martin flooded Capitol Hill.
—Sana Pashankar, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
With the game winding down, Casey Mittelstadt was stripped of the puck by Brayden Point along the boards, a spot where Mittelstadt has been so good this year.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
As the action was winding down, the sixth chair was placed.
—Jane Bua, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Look for an open man with the clock winding down.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Instead, the outcome might end up along the lines of a no lose/no lose, winding down of hostilities.
—Daniel Kurtzer, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
And with the season winding down to its final days, Samoskevich and his shot is finally getting rewarded.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Authorities said the crowd that gathered at the federal building later in the afternoon, as the rally was winding down, had ignored orders to disperse.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
Steve Kopack, NBC news, 12 Apr. 2026
When the White House proposed winding down SLS and the Orion spacecraft after just three flights in its budget request to Congress last May, lobbyists from contractors like Boeing and Lockheed Martin flooded Capitol Hill.
—Sana Pashankar, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
With the game winding down, Casey Mittelstadt was stripped of the puck by Brayden Point along the boards, a spot where Mittelstadt has been so good this year.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
As the action was winding down, the sixth chair was placed.
—Jane Bua, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Look for an open man with the clock winding down.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Instead, the outcome might end up along the lines of a no lose/no lose, winding down of hostilities.
—Daniel Kurtzer, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
And with the season winding down to its final days, Samoskevich and his shot is finally getting rewarded.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Authorities said the crowd that gathered at the federal building later in the afternoon, as the rally was winding down, had ignored orders to disperse.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winding down
Verb
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Some of the showers come with aromatherapy pods that can be attached to the nozzles, for a relaxing sensory experience.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
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The bill currently proposes relaxing pesticide labeling rules and the potential preemption of states suing big agrochemical companies in cases related to carcinogenic paraquat and glyphosate.—
Thomas Heaton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Dulude suggests loosening up the food particles on the microwave walls by placing a bowl of water inside with half a lemon and using a high setting to boil the water.—
Lori Keong,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Men, once largely confined to safe tuxedos, began loosening up.—
Merle Ginsberg,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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 14 Apr. 2026.
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