WINDUP Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

wind up 1 of 2

verb

Definition of wind up

as in to end

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to stop

to come to an end her speeches usually wind up with one last joke

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

windup

2 of 2

noun

ˈwīnd-ˌəp

as in ending

the last part of a process or action wait until the windup of your sales pitch before giving up any information about the product's price point

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 wind up

Verb

That would wind up being the last time the Emmys’ top two series prizes went to broadcasters. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 When that happens the club will have some tough decisions to make, and in all likelihood a couple of key contributors will wind up being the odd men out. — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Noun

Bravo is fortunate he’s seen Dodger broadcasts mentioning Koufax at the stadium and on TV, motivating him to learn more, which led to seeing his windup on YouTube. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 The one-inning, 10-pitch affair against the Red Sox also featured strong command and Cole’s new, over-the-head windup. — Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wind up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wind up

Verb

However, the action may not end at 11pm — deal sheets allow clubs to conclude signings two hours after the transfer window closes, provided the correct paperwork is submitted before the deadline.

— Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Amid a scorching stretch, Bregman ends the month with his lifetime total now sitting at two.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of end

Verb

The new rules mandated that referees stop play for a ten-minute hydration break that allows players to drink fluids, change clothes, or shower in their locker room.

— Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
The team stopped at 800 N because increasing the load further would require additional protective equipment, with a separate destructive limit test planned.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of stop

Noun

At Mattel, cultural relevance came with a blockbuster ending.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Earlier this summer, speculation regarding Ariana Grande’s weight and body image reached a fever pitch after the singer announced her retreat from public life following the ending of her ongoing tour next week.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of ending

Verb

Costs for consumers in the Affordable Care Act marketplace have soared amid expiring ACA premium subsidies, and insurance affordability poses a political threat to Republicans during upcoming midterm elections.

— Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
But on a final attempt to tie the game with time expired, quarterback Cruz James was intercepted by TFA freshman Jaylen Johnson in the end zone to seal TFA’s victory.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of expire

Noun

Despite the lack of outward signs in Ocean Springs, Nolan’s death has come to mean different things to different people and a lack of answers from authorities has left residents drawing their own conclusions about the circumstances of his death.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Trump faces mounting pressure to address high gas prices as the war in Iran on Friday reached a six-month milestone with no conclusion in sight.

— Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of conclusion

Verb

Still, several financial analysts have concluded that the prediction frenzy, with its sleek mobile apps and easy-to-understand odds, are driving the stock drops.

— Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
An autonomous attacker does not care what an organization's SPRS score says, whether its dashboard is green or whether an assessment concluded that a control was implemented.

— Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of conclude

Verb

The turf needs this lead time to absorb the nutrients before growth ceases in winter.

— Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2026
Ukraine is warning the world that airlines and other civilian aircraft must cease operations in Russian airspace or risk being caught in crossfire.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of cease

Browse Nearby Words

windswept

wind up

windup

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Wind up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wind%20up. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of wind up

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes