as in to relax
to get rid of nervous tension or anxiety
not being one for alcoholic beverages, I prefer to wind down with a cup of tea every night
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Recent Examples of wind down
With the latest allergy count showing cedar holding steady at medium, what allergy sufferers really want to know is whether cedar (aka ashe juniper) season is starting to wind down.
—
Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
According to its January 28 earnings call, the company plans to wind down production of the Model S Sedan and Model X SUV to accommodate the manufacturing of the Optimus robot at its Fremont factory.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Feb. 2026
These practical self-care gifts are perfect for winding down after a long day.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
As the month winds down, February asks you to slow down and listen more closely to what your emotions are revealing.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wind down
Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
According to its January 28 earnings call, the company plans to wind down production of the Model S Sedan and Model X SUV to accommodate the manufacturing of the Optimus robot at its Fremont factory.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Feb. 2026
These practical self-care gifts are perfect for winding down after a long day.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026
As the month winds down, February asks you to slow down and listen more closely to what your emotions are revealing.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wind down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wind down
Verb
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College students in Indiana will have time off from classes to can relax, pick up more hours at their jobs or jet-set off to a hotspot spring break destination (Florida, probably).—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
13 Feb. 2026
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The design hugs the ankle before relaxing into a gentle slouch through the leg.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The moon’s connection with Venus is a perfect excuse to chill out.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
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This list of things to do in Belize features ideas for everyone, from adventurers and history buffs to foodies and travelers looking to chill out on a lounge chair in the sun.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wind down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wind%20down. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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