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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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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Announced Tuesday, the Mavericks and Kidd mutually agreed to part ways, ending a coaching tenure that began in 2021 and concluded with an even 205-205 regular-season record.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 May 2026
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Cuffe redshirted during the Jayhawks’ 2022 national championship season and then played in just two games for head coach Bill Self before suffering a season-ending injury in 2022-23.—
Gary Bedore
May 18,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Those unable to swim two lengths of the pool without stopping should have a parent remain close enough to reach them.—
Laura Berrios,
AJC.com,
19 May 2026
-
The storm never fully fired, and Lisius and George eventually made their way back to Arlington, stopping for tacos along the way.—
Emily Holshouser
May 19,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 May 2026
Verb
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The interactive museum is finishing up a major expansion, and visitors will soon be able to see even more of its extensive collection up close.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
19 May 2026
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After finishing her schooling at Exarch Joseph I in Lovech, Karabash earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Veliko Tarnovo in applied linguistics with English and French.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Nishant Pant has a STZ bull call spread expiring on June 12.—
Nishant Pant,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
-
Wind and solar power have intermittency issues and their federal tax credits are expiring.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Early voting is wrapping up in Georgia as the country prepares for a marathon of midterm primaries next week.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Madrid visit Sevilla on Sunday before wrapping up their season at home against Athletic Club on May 23.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Federal judges allowed all five to resume construction, essentially concluding that the government didn’t show that the national security risk was so imminent that construction must halt.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
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The trek kicks off in September in Detroit before concluding in Atlanta.—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
11 May 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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Key indicators include clients engaging more with competitors, ceasing to credit your work in their successes, and offering delayed or forced responses to communications.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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The Pennsylvania Democrat is unbowed by the intraparty criticism of his votes against ceasing the war — a position that last week proved decisive.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Winding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winding%20up. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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