1
as in ends
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 stops
to come to an end
her speeches usually wind up with one last joke
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of winds up
LaRusso winds up learning about a lot more than just facing down a bully.
—
David Morgan, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
The novel follows Fred Scully (Pitt), who, after traveling through Europe for two years, winds up in Ireland with his wife and daughter.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
The tie winds up being huge for the Lancers (8-2-2, 3-2-1), who stayed within range of the two teams ahead of them.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
And how big business and government have long influenced what winds up on our plates.
—Darian Woods, NPR, 22 Jan. 2026
Mainly cloudy with winds up to 15 mph.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 21 Jan. 2026
Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in Florida's Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph.
—Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
An atmospheric river storm slammed into the coast of Central California and Southern California, dumping more than 10 inches of rain in parts of Big Sur with winds up to 90 mph.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
But with neither enough depth to leave a lasting impression nor enough entertainment to make up for that, the drama winds up little more than a forgettable distraction.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 Jan. 2026
David Morgan, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
The novel follows Fred Scully (Pitt), who, after traveling through Europe for two years, winds up in Ireland with his wife and daughter.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
The tie winds up being huge for the Lancers (8-2-2, 3-2-1), who stayed within range of the two teams ahead of them.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
And how big business and government have long influenced what winds up on our plates.
—Darian Woods, NPR, 22 Jan. 2026
Mainly cloudy with winds up to 15 mph.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 21 Jan. 2026
Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in Florida's Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph.
—Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
An atmospheric river storm slammed into the coast of Central California and Southern California, dumping more than 10 inches of rain in parts of Big Sur with winds up to 90 mph.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
But with neither enough depth to leave a lasting impression nor enough entertainment to make up for that, the drama winds up little more than a forgettable distraction.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winds up
Verb
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But the movie ends when Cathy dies, distraught and brokenhearted over Heathcliff and having starved herself during her pregnancy.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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When the sun moves away from the node, the season ends, and eclipses become impossible again.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There’s a long inner liner that stops a few inches short of the hem, offering calf-length coverage.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
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If Chipotle stops producing them, these chairs might appreciate to become a solid investment.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Heimuli finishes this season with a 44-1 record.—
Rick Kretzschmar,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
LaVine finishes the contest by dunking from a half step inside the free-throw line and going between his legs.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The deal includes the acquisition of the House of Creed by L’Oréal and gives the group the rights to enter into 50-year exclusive licenses for the creation, development and distribution of fragrance and beauty products for Gucci, once Kering’s current license for the business with Coty expires.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
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The end of the immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota comes as funding for the Department of Homeland Security expires later today.—
Suzanne Nuyen,
NPR,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Lunar New Year begins February 17, 2026, and starts the 15-day Spring Festival that concludes with the Lantern Festival, according to the Smithsonian Institution.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
17 Feb. 2026
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When Ramadan concludes with Eid, the celebration does not mark an end to discipline but its continuation.—
Irfan Sarwar,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Such desires can persist even after the reward itself ceases to be pleasurable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
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Once the prisoner ceases his danse macabre, the crowd goes wild.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Wednesday's rain wraps up early on Thursday, with most of the rest of Thursday looking dry.—
Ron Smiley,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
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The 16-minute video wraps up with a special music video featuring the singer and her class, highlighting the Career Day theme.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Stanton demonstrates his battery by shorting the coils, which halts the pendulum due to the magnetic field’s braking effect.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
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Should any of these conditions not be met, the contract halts and notifies all relevant parties.—
Matthew Kayser,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Winds up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winds%20up. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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