wind down

verb

wound down also winded down; winding down; winds down
Synonyms of wind downnext

intransitive verb

1
: to draw gradually toward an end
the party was winding down
2
: relax, unwind
wind down with a good book

transitive verb

: to cause a gradual lessening of usually with the intention of bringing to an end

Synonyms of wind down

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Examples of wind down in a Sentence

not being one for alcoholic beverages, I prefer to wind down with a cup of tea every night
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Just as Dean may be winding down promotion of The Art of Loving – and ramping up her Grammy campaign – one of her earlier, pre-fame projects debuts on the charts in the United Kingdom. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Gates Foundation’s dedication to global health Last summer before any connections between Gates or the Gates Foundation and Epstein came to light, Fortune was the first to report the charitable organization would wind down in 2045. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026 Iger wound down his role as CEO of The Walt Disney CEO company earlier this year after assuming the role, first for over a decade starting in 2005 and again from 2022 to 2026. — Mason Leib, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026 Founder Sid Motion described the decision as a positive, conscious choice to wind down while the program and finances remain strong, rather than compromise her support for artists. — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wind down

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of wind down was in 1944

Rhymes for wind down

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Browse Nearby Words

winddog
wind down
wind drift
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Cite this Entry

“Wind down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wind%20down. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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