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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For LeBron James, missing the game meant the Lakers’ All-Star became ineligible for NBA postseason awards, ending his streak of making the All-NBA team at 21 seasons.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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James then missed a 3-point attempt at the other end, ending the back-and-forth bid, and the Thunder closed out the win at the free-throw line.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In the heavily Latino area of south Oklahoma City, ICE agents have been patrolling in unmarked vehicles and stopping work trucks of roofers, painters and electricians, Brooks Jimenez said.—
Nuria Martinez-Keel,
Oklahoma Voice,
10 Feb. 2026
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Lily did exactly the right thing by stopping and asking first.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The friends along with two women and children were finishing a meal from Wingstop at the apartment when the argument led to gunfire, Davis’ mother, Sherika Kennedy, told the Star-Telegram.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Feb. 2026
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Rodriguez starred in Season 6 of the Peacock dating series and was one of the breakout stars that year, making it to the final and finishing in third place, coupled with Jana Craig.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last year’s sweeping tax bill introduced requirements that could kick thousands off of SNAP benefits, while expiring healthcare subsidies are leading to more expensive premiums for health insurance.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
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All the expiring contracts in the secondary, though, also afford Sullivan and Hafley an opportunity to bring in their own players at those positions.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With the heart of tech earnings season wrapping up this week, Wall Street has a clearer picture of how the artificial intelligence race is poised to accelerate in 2026.—
Jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
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Consider wrapping up your journey in the morning.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Trump has long alleged, without evidence and despite multiple independent reviews concluding the opposite, that the 2020 election was stolen from him.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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The Oscars, which are concluding a decades-long run with ABC and Disney, will follow a growing selection of live programming streamed on YouTube, including the first-ever NFL game last fall.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 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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Yet, without ceasing, another generation of Puerto Ricans pick up the mantle to chant in the streets and fight for their country, out of love for their forefathers and foremothers.—
Taylor Crumpton,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
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The agency requested that the drugmaker take immediate action to address the violations, which could include ceasing all ads containing misleading claims.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Winding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winding%20up. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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