winding up 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of winding upnext
as in ending

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winding up

2 of 2

verb

present participle of wind up
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 up
Verb
One&Only followed this with its villas winding up from the jetty to the central building at the peak, which houses the reception, boutique, and five distinctive dining options. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 More than 23 billion pairs of footwear are produced every year, with roughly a billion winding up in landfills. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 The hit sequel follows 10-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) being separated from his family for a second time during a family vacation, and Kevin winding up at the luxurious Plaza Hotel in New York City. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Taking it with you prevents it from winding up in the ocean, or in the mouths of wildlife. — Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 14 July 2026 Some tea strainers feature a mesh casing, which is the best option for preventing small particles from escaping the infuser and winding up in your drink. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 Then the track left the valley and started winding up to a high, dry plateau. — Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 8 July 2026 This new round of chaos only feeds the anxiety that has enveloped the California Democratic Party for months, stirred by fears that the lack of a singular party front-runner might lead to two Republicans winding up on the November ballot. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026 Newsom is winding up eight years as governor with a mixed record at best. — Tom Philp, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winding up
  1. dying
  2. ending
  3. stopping
  4. passing
  5. finishing
  6. expiring
  7. closing
  8. wrapping up
Adjective
  • What’s the vibe for you, post-dying?
    — Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 22 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of dying
Verb
  • But the Mets missed the postseason in 2024 and were 10½ games out on April 26, ending the suspense early this season.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Miami needed 43 points, two overtimes and a replay review to uphold a game-ending interception, but the Hurricanes left Hard Rock Stadium with a comeback victory over rival Florida State on Saturday night.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of ending
Verb
  • While Joseph was productive with his legs, garnering 71 yards and one touchdown, the Bruins were effectively stopping the run — a theme consistent throughout the season — limiting the Badger running backs to 54 yards.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Dylan, who adheres to a constant tour schedule and shows no signs of stopping soon, was 75 years-old when given his Nobel.
    — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of stopping
Adjective
  • Running back Ousmane Kromah has 565 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while receivers Jayvan Boggs, Duce Robinson and Michai Danzy can all make plays in the passing game.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Bo Nix continues to struggle to get the passing game going and Seattle’s defense remains among the league’s best across most major statistical categories, making this a tough matchup on a short week.
    — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of passing
Verb
  • In 2024 the Dolphins began that season 2-6 before finishing out the year 6-3.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The franchise man continues to build a strong rapport with his receivers, finishing 23-of-41 for 276 yards with a touchdown pass to Matthew Golden, who led the game with 104 yards on six grabs.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of finishing
Verb
  • With a pending lockout, expiring player contracts and possible retirements, who knows what the future will hold.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • With that temporary order expiring Tuesday, the judge issued a preliminary injunction that preserves the status quo indefinitely while the case is pending.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of expiring
Adjective
  • The question is whether the post-closing company can afford to do all of it while servicing that debt, integrating two enormous businesses, achieving the synergies its financing assumes, funding streaming and deleveraging on schedule.
    — Joseph M. Singer, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
  • In my experience, IP analysis also impacts post-closing integration assumptions around product and platform continuity, as well as revenue protection mechanisms tied to exclusivity and licensing integrity.
    — Keegan Caldwell, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of closing
Verb
  • Meir, wrapping up her second flight to the space station, will have logged a total of 442 days in space, completing four spacewalks during the Crew 12 mission and three during an earlier stay.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Hannah Einbinder got to the bra-shirt idea early, just as New York Fashion Week’s spring 2027 presentations were wrapping up.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of wrapping up

Browse Nearby Words

windings
winding up
windjammer
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Cite this Entry

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

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