as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors
a down-to-the-wire contest for the pennant
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of down-to-the-wire
Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler won Game 4 through down-to-the-wire intensity and an inspired final stop.
—
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Skokie’s election season did not end on Election Day, and a district trustee declared victory in a down-to-the-wire finish almost two weeks after the polls closed.
—Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
Unfortunately, for those of us who love down-to-the-wire drama, most of the major domestic leagues have very little to play for.
—Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Following her nose to a funeral where Arthur has managed to convince the dithering family to cremate rather than go with burial, Elsbeth has her most down-to-the-wire crime-proving moment yet.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Skokie’s election season did not end on Election Day, and a district trustee declared victory in a down-to-the-wire finish almost two weeks after the polls closed.
—Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
Unfortunately, for those of us who love down-to-the-wire drama, most of the major domestic leagues have very little to play for.
—Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Following her nose to a funeral where Arthur has managed to convince the dithering family to cremate rather than go with burial, Elsbeth has her most down-to-the-wire crime-proving moment yet.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-to-the-wire
Adjective
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But its critics say EA continues to make narrow and curious choices that neglect both systemic issues and the complexly human reasons people give, as a battle for billions rages on.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
24 July 2025
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That choice is one of the starkest demonstrations that the regime’s priority of narrow self-interest over the global good won’t be changing anytime soon.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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With the calendar officially flipped to August, the Miami Herald is counting down 30 of the most important players on the Hurricanes’ roster, one per day leading up to the season opener, to provide a closer look at the team heading into coach Mario Cristobal’s fourth season.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
3 Aug. 2025
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Moussa Mara, Mali's former prime minister, was detained pending trial over expressing compassion on X for people jailed for their political beliefs, said Abdoulaye Yaro, a close associate.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Five guys have brought it home with tighter (leads).—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Aug. 2025
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Developers face tighter deadlines and stricter sourcing rules.—
Lisa Setyon,Jeniece Pettitt,
CNBC,
2 Aug. 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 6 Aug. 2025.
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