as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors
a down-to-the-wire contest for the pennant
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Recent Examples of down-to-the-wire
So, what’s another down-to-the-wire finish for this team?
—
Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025
With two elite quarterbacks, top-tier offenses, and strong defenses, this game has all the ingredients for a down-to-the-wire finish.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025
The first round was a letdown, but then came an instant classic Texas-Arizona State Peach Bowl, two down-to-the-wire semifinals and a big-brand championship game that wasn’t officially over until the final 30 seconds.
—Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
While the coach spoke briefly about his heritage following the down-to-the-wire victory, he’s been open about his background in the past.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025
With two elite quarterbacks, top-tier offenses, and strong defenses, this game has all the ingredients for a down-to-the-wire finish.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025
The first round was a letdown, but then came an instant classic Texas-Arizona State Peach Bowl, two down-to-the-wire semifinals and a big-brand championship game that wasn’t officially over until the final 30 seconds.
—Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
While the coach spoke briefly about his heritage following the down-to-the-wire victory, he’s been open about his background in the past.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-to-the-wire
Adjective
-
On Saturday, the narrow field caused both teams to adapt to tighter spaces and quicker play.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
-
The plain and active meaning of the word cannot be diluted by its constriction, as the government would have it, to a narrow term of art.—
TIME Staff,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The new Charlotte Knights’ manager pitched for four MLB teams from 2010 to 2015, recording 30 saves as the closer for the Chicago White Sox in 2011.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Apr. 2025
-
That’s in part thanks to a close collaboration between Stein and Weinstein.—
Leah Abrams,
Them.,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Tour demands that players lift up their floors — and flaws — in tight moments.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
For smaller companies or those operating with tight budgets, these costs can seem prohibitive, especially when the return on investment (ROI) is uncertain or far beyond the headlights.—
Tim Houlne,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Down-to-the-wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down-to-the-wire. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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