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
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
The Quad 3 loss was the second such defeat of the season for the Huskies, who suffered a similar down-to-the-wire loss to Colorado in the second game of the Maui Invitational in November.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2025
So, what’s another down-to-the-wire finish for this team?
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
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
The Quad 3 loss was the second such defeat of the season for the Huskies, who suffered a similar down-to-the-wire loss to Colorado in the second game of the Maui Invitational in November.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2025
So, what’s another down-to-the-wire finish for this team?
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-to-the-wire
Adjective
-
The Denver Nuggets trailed by 11 with about four minutes left to start the Western Conference semis but stormed back at Paycom Center for a narrow win — the Thunder won that series in seven games.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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Beach replenishment also is planned, but the narrow right-of-way through San Clemente includes no room for a second set of tracks.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
Some of the women became her close friends, and one became a longtime girlfriend.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
-
Or, that their connection through her stepdad was not close enough to matter.—
Jayme Fraser,
USA Today,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
Money was tighter than a banjo string around the Carter house at that time.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2025
-
If military attacks continue, this could mean an extended period of tighter markets and higher prices.—
Michael Lynch,
Forbes.com,
13 June 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 19 Jun. 2025.
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