as in ending
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of winding up
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
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
-
Powell this week oversees his third-to-last meeting as chair, with his term ending on May 15.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
-
With the deadline approaching, a stake sale may be considered in the fiscal year ending March 2027.—
Ashutosh Joshi,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The controversy began at the end of a planning and zoning meeting last Thursday, when the council member raised concerns about Border Patrol agents stopping people in the community.—
Anna McAllister,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
States such as Minnesota should also look to civil law as a basis for stopping baleful and unlawful ICE tactics.—
Aziz Huq,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In theory, teams down to Galatasaray and Qarabag, in 17th and 18th on 10 points, have a chance of finishing in the top eight.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Suber played the Farmers for the first time last year, finishing tied for 56th.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Among current members of the roster who potentially could fetch a first-round pick at next week‘s deadline are Norman Powell, with his expiring contract at the end of the year, and Andrew Wiggins, who holds a player option for next season.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
-
For weeks, Democrats withheld their votes from a short-term funding measure to reopen the government without a deal to extend expiring health insurance subsidies.—
Sam Gringlas,
NPR,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Now, though, my snow days look like a combination of shoveling and clearing my car and then wrapping up in multiple blankets to stay cozy with a great book or TV show.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Jan. 2026
-
On Thursday, the company is scheduled to report fourth-quarter results, wrapping up earnings season for the tech giants (though Nvidia reports later in the month).—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, eclipses in March and August — concluding a series that began in 2024 between you and Pisces — bring a long personal storyline to completion.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Once the Olympics get underway, events will run through February 22, with the Closing Ceremony concluding the Milano Cortina Games and handing off the torch to France, host nation of the French Alps 2030 Winter Olympics.—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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
-
To cope with the situation, Perez would often tighten his budget by ceasing to go out with friends and cutting some corners to save extra money.—
Alvaro Acosta,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
-
TelaForce is ceasing operations due to certain contracts with a government agency ending, the letter says.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Winding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winding%20up. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
