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.
Mao Zedong’s tumultuous Cultural Revolution was just winding down when Wang started school in what is today Yantai city of China’s eastern Shandong province. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 18 Aug. 2026 German business publication WirtschaftsWoche cites unnamed sources within Porsche in its story about the automaker’s plans to wind down production of the Taycan. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2026 As the search phase winds down, attention is increasingly turning toward a reconstruction effort of enormous scale. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026 Boise Raft and Tube is starting to wind down its 2026 season this week, the city said in a press release Friday. — Mark Dee august 18, Idaho Statesman, 18 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 20 Aug. 2026.

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