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
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
There are no true take-backs however; the companies that reserved Super Bowl time and opt not to use it wind up with ads on other Fox programs at other times, instead.
—Brian Stelter, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025
Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Sep. 2024
Such a windup suggested that a rerun of their infamous 2020 debate was coming, with Trump casting himself in the role, once again, of rogue gasbag.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 28 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for wind up 
Verb
How does a young man with perfectly flowing chi and an EpiPen in his glove compartment wind up puffy faced and dead just off the Van Wyck Expressway?
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
There are no true take-backs however; the companies that reserved Super Bowl time and opt not to use it wind up with ads on other Fox programs at other times, instead.
—Brian Stelter, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025
Noun
After a very long windup, Billy Crystal announces that Comedy Central’s The Daily Show — with Jon Stewart, but no longer with Jon Stewart — has won best talk series.
—Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Sep. 2024
Such a windup suggested that a rerun of their infamous 2020 debate was coming, with Trump casting himself in the role, once again, of rogue gasbag.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 28 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for wind up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wind up
Verb
-
The delay comes after the two countries agreed to take steps toward preventing the trafficking of fentanyl into the U.S. Markets stage comeback but still in the red All major U.S. indexes ended Monday in the red.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2025
-
More light rain fell periodically through the Bay Area on Monday, continuing a pattern that began Friday and ended a nearly month-long stretch without precipitation.—
Rick Hurd,
The Mercury News,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Andre then tried to stop the bleeding with a pair of used socks and another man's shirt.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
5 Feb. 2025
-
Back in Europe, small to medium sized sales companies, who have long since stopped attending the AFM due to the cost, are increasingly discussing the lack of a fully-fledged fall market in the region to mop up sales on films launched at the late summer to early fall festivals.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The country singer could easily pull off these looks to blend in with Queen Bey or — possibly — a choir for the track’s ending.—
Danielle Gilliard,
WWD,
2 Feb. 2025
-
The ending to this season should align more with the seedings.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Holmes just finished her run in the Broadway revival of Thornton Wilder’s famous play, which costarred Jim Parsons and Zoey Deutch.—
Hannah Malach,
WWD,
5 Feb. 2025
-
Swift finished off the look with more Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and matching Casadei heels, plus her go-to red lip.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The current deal expires at the end of the 2026 season.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2025
-
The union’s contracts with the company expired Jan. 17.—
Judith Kohler,
The Denver Post,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Shorts awards are doled out five days before the conclusion of this year’s Sundance Film Festival, which continues through Feb. 2 (both in person and online).—
Chris Gardner,
The Hollywood Reporter,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Japan and Russia are involved in a territorial conflict over the Northern Territories, a set of islands controlled by Russia after being taken from Japan by the Soviet Union at the conclusion of World War II.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The show is slated to conclude its run on Sunday, Aug. 17.—
Stephen L. Betts,
Rolling Stone,
29 Jan. 2025
-
Investigators found evidence of explosives at the sites, leading Swedish prosecutors to conclude that the blasts were caused by an act of sabotage.—
Anna Cooban,
CNN,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
May 2024: An American Airlines plane ceased takeoff at Reagan Washington National after another aircraft was cleared to land on an intersecting runway.—
Zach Wichter,
USA TODAY,
31 Jan. 2025
-
The last day to shop at the store, and buy its beloved Winston’s sausages, is March 30, but Irish on Grand will not cease to exist.—
Mars King,
Twin Cities,
31 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near wind up
Cite this Entry
“Wind up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wind%20up. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share