as in relaxing
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
soft music and a good book help me unwind
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of unwinding
There’s nothing wrong with legislators unwinding and heading back to their districts, but Americans are reasonably annoyed to see their representatives at a casino or theme park amid a partial government shutdown.
—
Editorial Board, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2026
Stock up on cheese at the Door County Creamery before unwinding with a Wisconsin Old Fashioned at Sister Bay Bowl, a supper club-meets-bowling alley.
—Katy Spratte Joyce, Midwest Living, 31 Mar. 2026
That's basically bond-like performance, as these companies spent the last few years unwinding some of the worst media deals in history.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Although the lawsuits from the states and DirecTV pose a threat, courts have historically been more open to stopping a deal rather than unwinding one.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
On the 534th Sporticast episode, hosts Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams discuss some of the biggest sports business stories of the week, including the complicated (and expensive) unwinding of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s tenure with the Miami Dolphins.
—Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Plus, Mii Amo has a world-class spa, perfect for unwinding after a day on the trail.
—Kristine Thomason, Outside, 9 Mar. 2026
Canadians’ absence in Las Vegas is symbolic of the United States’ fractured relationship with its neighbor and the ripple effects of unwinding ties between the two countries.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
On each bedside table is a Good Night Guide, with tips for unwinding, and an herbal tea sachet with botanicals from the family-run property’s garden.
—Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 3 Mar. 2026
Editorial Board, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2026
Stock up on cheese at the Door County Creamery before unwinding with a Wisconsin Old Fashioned at Sister Bay Bowl, a supper club-meets-bowling alley.
—Katy Spratte Joyce, Midwest Living, 31 Mar. 2026
That's basically bond-like performance, as these companies spent the last few years unwinding some of the worst media deals in history.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Although the lawsuits from the states and DirecTV pose a threat, courts have historically been more open to stopping a deal rather than unwinding one.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
On the 534th Sporticast episode, hosts Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams discuss some of the biggest sports business stories of the week, including the complicated (and expensive) unwinding of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s tenure with the Miami Dolphins.
—Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Plus, Mii Amo has a world-class spa, perfect for unwinding after a day on the trail.
—Kristine Thomason, Outside, 9 Mar. 2026
Canadians’ absence in Las Vegas is symbolic of the United States’ fractured relationship with its neighbor and the ripple effects of unwinding ties between the two countries.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
On each bedside table is a Good Night Guide, with tips for unwinding, and an herbal tea sachet with botanicals from the family-run property’s garden.
—Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwinding
relaxing
Verb
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For a relaxing post-race stay, check into the Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, Beijing, with its award-winning spa (after a massage, consider the tea meditation too) and standout dining options, from Italian to dim sum.—
Madison Flager,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Apr. 2026
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Meditation exercises can set the stage for a good night’s sleep, and an inexpensive noise machine can help with relaxing sounds.—
Sharon Basaraba,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unwinding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwinding. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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