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
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
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Early this week, Senate Republicans and the president appeared to be edging closer to a framework to ending the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, which is now in its second month — but a breakthrough has remained out of reach.—
Arden Farhi,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
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OpenAI is shutting down its Sora video generation app, incidentally ending a $1 billion deal with Disney in the process.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After months of due process, in addition to appeals sought by Fort Worth ISD officials, the district was unsuccessful in stopping the state takeover from happening.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Mar. 2026
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That tells us the damage from stopping isn't fully reversible, and that has real implications for the millions of people cycling on and off these drugs.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Most people want to read more, but actually finishing books is another story.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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Scheffler has had success in Houston, finishing T2 in three of the last four Children's Opens.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Supplies are expiring or getting thrown out as staff wait for word on whether work can move forward, employees told NBC News.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC news,
24 Mar. 2026
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The Dodgers are very much caught in the middle of CBA posturing with the current agreement expiring this year.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Last, but certainly not least, the PCMag security team has been at the 2026 RSAC Conference this week, which is just wrapping up.—
Alan Henry,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
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The new single and album news came the day before McCartney is set to do a two-night stand at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, his first live dates since wrapping up a 2025 arena tour in November.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Chicago Board of Education will vote Monday on whether to hire interim CEO Macquline King permanently, concluding a monthslong national search for the school district’s next leader.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
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Developers and states sued, and 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,
24 Mar. 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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Without ever ceasing to be an artist.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
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Thank you for continuing to pray without ceasing.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Winding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winding%20up. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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