1
as in to end
to bring (an event) to a natural or appropriate stopping point
try to wind up the performance, as we're almost out of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stop
to come to an end
her speeches usually wind up with one last joke
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in ending
the last part of a process or action
wait until the windup of your sales pitch before giving up any information about the product's price point
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wind up
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Pet tortoises like Slim Shady commonly wind up needing a new home.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Adam B. Vary, Variety, 27 Nov. 2025
That’s certainly not unique to McCarthy’s work, but the windup rabbit toy in Caveat is distinctly unnerving, thanks in large part to its weirdly human eyes.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wind up
Verb
Lendeborg came back in the second half and wound up with 15 points, including 3-of-3 in 3-point shooting.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Pet tortoises like Slim Shady commonly wind up needing a new home.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
So this last question has a bit of a windup.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 27 Nov. 2025
That’s certainly not unique to McCarthy’s work, but the windup rabbit toy in Caveat is distinctly unnerving, thanks in large part to its weirdly human eyes.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wind up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wind up
Verb
-
Oh, and after a Collins strikeout finally ended the streak in the sixth, Isbel promptly led off the bottom of the seventh with a home run.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
According to Max Preps, the JSerra Lions ended the 2025 season with a 3-7 record and went 0-5 in the Trinity League against powerhouse like Mater Dei.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Asking the engineers to stop designing a firing squad chamber for the state of Idaho to execute death-row prisoners.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Yankees went a perfect 5-for-5 with ABS challenges in Monday’s 2-1 walk-off loss to the Mariners, but that didn’t stop Boone and company from barking at home plate umpire Mike Estabrook.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Lakers’ Hollywood ending appears ready to dissolve like so many dreams on a casting couch with news that Luca Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) will miss the remainder of the regular season.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The couple waved to the cameras before riding off in a vintage Jaguar—the perfect ending to a gorgeous (and extremely well-publicized) day.—
Katherine J Igoe,
InStyle,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Passover always starts and finishes in the evening, but traditions can vary depending on geographical location.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
As my colleague Sam McDowell deftly summed up last week, Royals outfielders combined in 2025 to finish last in on-base percentage, 29th in OPS (on-base plus slugging), 29th in home runs and 30th in runs.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His contract does not expire until after the 2028 season.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Her current status expires at the end of April.—
Mathew Miranda
Updated March 31,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The amazingly rapid reconstruction project came to a conclusion in December 2024.—
David A. Bell,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Another great example of this in action is KPMG’s new early career program focused on human qualities such as critical thinking, data analysis, and drawing conclusions rather than technical know-how.—
Teuila Hanson,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At the time, Harold's autopsy concluded his death was caused by multiple, serious cardiac issues including pericarditis, an inflammation of the sac around the heart.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
With roster movement already underway and a top-25 recruiting class incoming, the season that just concluded serves as a foundation rather than a finished product.—
Aaron Segal,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Under the emergency order, the school must immediately cease operations and may not provide massage education services in Texas unless otherwise authorized.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Your intelligence, your generosity, your courage, and your great sensitivity never cease to move me.—
Yi-Jin Yu,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wind up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wind%20up. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
