end up

verb

ended up; ending up; ends up
: to reach or come to a place, condition, or situation that was not planned or expected
The book ended up in the trash.
He didn't want to end up like his father.
She ended up a rich woman.
He ended up (living) in a nursing home.
The movie we wanted to see was sold out so we ended up seeing a different one.

Examples of end up in a Sentence

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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.
These incongruous people end up dying in the same dragon fire and looking the same way in a strangely intimate sort of pose. — Matt Minton, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026 Alicent’s offer of one child ends up putting all of them in danger. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 The Pounsberrys ended up giving Heather and the kids places to sleep for the night. — Nikki Battiste, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026 Seepersad said unauthorized educational businesses can end up costing students money and time without the payoff of a usable credential. — Kat Ramkumar, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for end up

Rhymes for end up

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Browse Nearby Words

enduement
end up
endura
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Cite this Entry

“End up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/end%20up. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of end up for Spanish Speakers

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