WINDING UP Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

winding up 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of winding up

as in ending

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Dissimilar Words

winding up

2 of 2

verb

present participle of wind up

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

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

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 The water is naturally filtered in the wetlands before winding up back in the reservoirs. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2025 Bianka could be seen winding up and then throwing an impressive pitch down the plate at Dodgers Stadium to be caught by right fielder Mookie Betts, in a video shared on X by a Los Angeles Lakers fan account. — Charna Flam, People.com, 9 Aug. 2025 The Biden administration took a more restrictive approach toward the export of American AI, primarily through limits on chip sales that sought to prevent the key hardware from winding up in the hands of foreign adversaries such as China. — Julia Shapero, The Hill, 30 July 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for winding 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

The 60-day deadline for the two sides to reach a deal toward ending the conflict has now passed.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
With prospects for a deal toward ending the war with Iran unclear, the stability of oil supplies remains uncertain with the Strait of Hormuz nearly closed, blocking a vital route for oil and gas tankers from the Middle East.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of ending

Verb

At this time, there was just one photoshoot finishing up (see balloons video above), and by 5 pm I and the resident cats had the park to ourselves.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026
On the second floor, a construction crew worked on finishing twenty-eight hotel rooms, set to open next summer.

— Jake Offenhartz, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of finishing

Verb

The federal government was required to set new rules for addressing shortages this year because the old rules are expiring.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
This financial setback adds to a critical period for AEW, which faces uncertainties with its WBD TV rights deal expiring in 2028 amid a potential WBD/Paramount+ merger.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of expiring

Adjective

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
Banijay Group received €801M from the deal, including a payment of €625M from RedBird IMI and a €176M pre-closing dividend.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 July 2026

Definition of closing

Browse Nearby Words

windings

winding up

windjammer

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“Winding up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winding%20up. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of winding up

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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Cite this Entry

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