as in relaxing
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 winding down
The show is designed to teach life skills through music, from trying new veggies to winding down for bed, with songs and content that have become a go-to resource for millions of parents looking to learn and bond with their children.
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Fast forward to Wednesday night, with time winding down in the Avalanche's Game 5 tilt with the Minnesota Wild, and Colorado needing a goal to tie it.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Even as their work was winding down this session, federal agents looking for evidence of fraud were raiding autism and daycare centers in the state.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 13 May 2026
What’s obvious but goes unsaid is that with a new husband and thoughts of starting a family, Mary’s performing days were winding down.
—John Ficarra, Washington Post, 8 May 2026
Tame Impala is winding down a spring European tour this month before kicking off a huge North American run July 6-7 in Miami.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 8 May 2026
The internal Department of Homeland Security office that oversees detention facilities and conditions is winding down its operations — even as the administration places more people in detention, and for longer stints.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 7 May 2026
Spirit Airlines halted all flights Saturday morning and began winding down its global operations after a last-minute federal bailout deal failed.
—Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026
Spirit began winding down operations early Saturday morning after talks between the airline and the federal government over a $500 million rescue deal stalled.
—Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 2 May 2026
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Fast forward to Wednesday night, with time winding down in the Avalanche's Game 5 tilt with the Minnesota Wild, and Colorado needing a goal to tie it.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Even as their work was winding down this session, federal agents looking for evidence of fraud were raiding autism and daycare centers in the state.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 13 May 2026
What’s obvious but goes unsaid is that with a new husband and thoughts of starting a family, Mary’s performing days were winding down.
—John Ficarra, Washington Post, 8 May 2026
Tame Impala is winding down a spring European tour this month before kicking off a huge North American run July 6-7 in Miami.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 8 May 2026
The internal Department of Homeland Security office that oversees detention facilities and conditions is winding down its operations — even as the administration places more people in detention, and for longer stints.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 7 May 2026
Spirit Airlines halted all flights Saturday morning and began winding down its global operations after a last-minute federal bailout deal failed.
—Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026
Spirit began winding down operations early Saturday morning after talks between the airline and the federal government over a $500 million rescue deal stalled.
—Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winding down
Verb
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The Prince of Wales spent part of his summer in 1997 relaxing along the banks of the River Dee in Scotland.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
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That might mean booking a chance to buy beer from Belgian monks who like to keep things quiet, or relaxing on a Tuscan farm with a lager made from hops grown nearby.—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
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After the ceasefire, oil prices plunged and bond yields fell, loosening up some of the cost crunch for consumers and businesses alike.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Dulude suggests loosening up the food particles on the microwave walls by placing a bowl of water inside with half a lemon and using a high setting to boil the water.—
Lori Keong,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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What had seemed like a good way of chilling out was actually plunging me into a kind of crisis.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
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If holiday burnout has you in the mood for rest and relaxation, the star advises taking a break to enjoy one of her favorite holiday traditions—chilling out at home with the family.—
Essence,
Essence,
15 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Winding down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winding%20down. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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