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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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
Adjective
-
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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That James left Northeast Ohio without ending Cleveland’s excruciating championship drought—the city hadn’t won a major pro sports title since 1964—added to the furor.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
9 June 2026
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Like Danault, wingers Corey Perry and Warren Foegele were also dealt for draft picks, while Fiala and Kuzmenko sustained season-ending injuries in February.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Bussi got the nod after stopping 18 of 19 shots in relief of Andersen in Game 3 in the third period and two overtimes.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
Afterward, locals recommend stopping at Lake Hollywood Park for fresh fruit topped with Tajín and chamoy.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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Now New Trier’s opponents are stuck trying to guard Randall, a task that is becoming increasingly difficult with every passing year.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
-
In this example, from the 1-0 victory against Wales in September, Oluwaseyi is pressing Wales’ right centre-back while blocking the passing lane into Charlie Crew, with David ready to move towards Ben Davies if the ball is played towards the left centre-back.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
One human staffer answers the hotline, another handles finishing the dishes, and the third works the handoff to delivery drivers.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
-
But since the calendar flipped to June, Webb has morphed back into the workhorse who has led the National League in innings pitched for three consecutive seasons, finishing in the top six in Cy Young voting eachof those years.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Petersen said the contract runs through April 2028, expiring about 2 ½ months before the 2028 Olympics comes to SoFi Stadium.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
The most popular contract in QQQ by dollar amount and volume is currently the in-the-money 700-strike put expiring on Tuesday, with $44 million in premium exchanged.—
Oliver Renick,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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During the post-closing ceremony panel, the jury president showed a sense of humor when discussing the challenges of serving as the leading member of the voting committee for a prestigious film festival, like being away from the phones all morning.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
23 May 2026
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This is covered in a standard inspection, often called a pre-drywall or pre-closing inspection.—
Ryan Brennan
May 15,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
Verb
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With the primary season wrapping up across the country, the contentious race in Michigan is increasingly seen as a test case for where the party and its base are headed into the November election and beyond.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
-
Finally, here’s our own Maris Kreizman, wrapping up the week’s discourse with a neat, sane bow.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Winding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winding%20up. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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