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
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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
as in ending
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of winding up
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
Adjective
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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Still, ending the war always required that Hamas agree to a deal—perhaps an ugly one, certainly an imperfect one, but one that would bring a stop to the killing.—
Mohammed R. Mhawish,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
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After Voodoo, D’Angelo went over a decade without releasing music, finally ending that long hiatus at the end of 2014 with Black Messiah.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The metro Detroit rallies have advocated for causes including stopping immigration crackdowns, stopping authoritarianism, health care, maintaining a positive relationship with Canada amid tariffs, declaring Detroit a sanctuary city, stopping deaths in Gaza and more.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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Nihi has 25 of Sumba’s beloved sandalwood horses, released from their stable once a day to run free through the shallows, stopping to roll around in the sand and nip at each other.—
Katie Lockhart,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Adding Bieber, finishing his Tommy John rehab, injected a sixth option.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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The resulting felt is then transformed into Fēlthos through a series of pressing, felting and finishing stages, according to certifiable quality standards.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Policyholders with expiring contracts could lose coverage and funds to pay claims have dropped $30 billion due to the shutdown.—
NPR,
NPR,
15 Oct. 2025
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Legislators have been at a stalemate over expiring healthcare funding and tax credits for the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, USA TODAY reported.—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The crime thriller debuted its first season in June before wrapping up its 13 episodes in early September following a weekly rollout.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Oct. 2025
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Venus is wrapping up in Virgo in your adventure sector, encouraging you to expand through learning, travel, or fresh perspectives.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Udine, Italy Reuters — Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched Tuesday in the northern Italian city of Udine before Italy’s World Cup soccer qualifier against Israel, concluding their mostly peaceful protest with clashes involving police.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
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As the concluding chapter of Wicked‘s big-screen adaptation approaches, Marissa Bode is opening up about how the movie does away with an ableist plot point.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The announcement also follows low-cost Icelandic carrier Play Airlines decision to fold, ceasing operations and canceling all remaining flights.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Oct. 2025
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The exchange is seen as a possible breakthrough in ceasing hostilities and bringing the war to an end.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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La’Vell Wright leads the ground game with 203 yards and five scores, while Matthew Henry is the big-play threat in the passing game with 21 catches, 377 yards, and three TDs.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
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The offensive passing game benefited with play-action fakes.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Winding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winding%20up. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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