WINDING DOWN Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

winding down

verb

present participle of wind down

as in relaxing

to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety not being one for alcoholic beverages, I prefer to wind down with a cup of tea every night

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tensing (up)

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 down With the first half winding down, Jones’ 17-yard completion to Dallas Wilson on fourth-and-12 from the Texas 36 saved the day for Florida and provided the 19-year-old a shot of confidence. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Oct. 2026 On the other hand, an agent trained on company context can see the decline, and tell whether this is because the company is deliberately winding down specific segments of the business. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026 Pro Football Hall of Famer and Fox broadcaster Terry Bradshaw told NBC News on Tuesday his television career is winding down. — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026 Venice, Telluride and Toronto have wrapped, and the New York Film Festival is winding down. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026 Hele Outdoors Hele is winding down a Kickstarter campaign for the Ice Box over the next few days. — New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026 The program, which is part of the city of Phoenix’s heat relief effort, has helped nearly 300 households so far but is winding down this month. — Nicole Santa Cruz, ProPublica, 7 Oct. 2026 Now, decades later, Snider was winding down his career, and Prevost was about to participate in a conclave to elect the next pope. — Scott Detrow, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026 Two managers confirmed to The Star Friday afternoon that the location was winding down this weekend. — Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for winding down

Verb

After exploring or relaxing by the pool, head to the freestanding infrared sauna with optional salt halotherapy.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
The layout is geared toward indoor-outdoor living, with ample space for relaxing and entertaining across four decks.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of relaxing

Verb

Steve Madden Lennox Taupe Suede After seasons of structured, second-skin silhouettes, boots are finally loosening up.

— Camila Quimper, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
As fashion’s game of musical chairs slows down, Milan’s newest creative directors are loosening up the codes at some of Italy's most storied brands.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of loosening up

Browse Nearby Words

winding

winding down

windings

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“Winding down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winding%20down. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of winding down

verb

Example Sentences

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