Definitions

wind down

[wahynd-doun] / ˈwaɪndˌdaʊn /

VERB

catch one's breath

Synonyms

WEAK

breathe ease off mellow out recuperate relax rest sit down slow down stop for a breath take a break take ten

VERB

Synonyms

STRONGEST

conclude do end halt shutter

STRONG

cap cease clear clinch consummate culminate determine discontinue fold terminate ultimate

WEAK

button down button up call it a day call off cut loose drop the curtain fold up pack it in put a lid on put to bed sew up shut down wind up wrap up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

begin commence start

STRONG

continue initiate open

WEAK

not finish

VERB

kick back

Synonyms

STRONGEST

lie down recline sit back take it easy unwind

WEAK

breathe easy calm down catch one's breath chill out collect oneself compose oneself cool off feel at home hang loose loosen up make oneself at home mellow out put one's feet up rest settle back sit around take a break take a breather take a load off take ten

VERB

lessen

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate curtail decrease dilute diminish dwindle ease erode impair lighten minimize mitigate narrow shrink slacken taper off weaken

STRONG

abridge amputate attenuate clip close contract crop cut de-escalate decline degrade downsize drain minify moderate soft pedal taper thin truncate

WEAK

become smaller cut back die down grow less roll back slack up slow down take the bite out take the edge off take the sting out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase intensify irritate lengthen prolong strengthen worsen

STRONG

go up rise stretch

WEAK

raise

VERB

reduce

Synonyms

STRONGEST

curtail cut cut down diminish dwindle knock off lessen lower pare scale down shorten slash trim weaken

STRONG

abate abridge bankrupt break cheapen chop clip contract debase deflate depreciate depress diet dilute discount drain impair impoverish moderate pauperize rebate recede ruin shave slim taper truncate

WEAK

bant cut back go on a diet lose weight mark down nutshell roll back slow down step down take off weight taper off tone down turn down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

compliment develop enlarge expand extend grow increase lengthen praise prolong raise strengthen

STRONG

amplify enhance laud rise stretch upgrade

WEAK

invigorate win

VERB

rest

Synonyms

STRONGEST

breathe lean lie down relax sit down stretch out

STRONG

doze dream drowse idle laze loaf loll lounge nap nod recline repose slack slacken slumber snooze spell unbend unlax unwind

WEAK

be at ease be comfortable compose oneself ease off ease up let down let up lie by lie still put feet up refresh oneself slack off take a break take a nap take five take it easy take life easy take ten take time out

Antonyms

STRONG

do energize

WEAK

activate be active carry out move stand walk

VERB

slow

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate curb curtail decelerate decrease diminish hinder impede lag lessen moderate reduce relax retard slacken stall temper

STRONG

brake check choke detain loiter mire postpone procrastinate qualify quiet reef regulate stunt

WEAK

anchor it back-water bog down cut back cut down ease off ease up embog hit the brakes hold back hold up keep waiting let down flaps lose speed lose steam reduce speed rein in set back

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance agitate aid allow assist develop encourage enlarge excite expand extend facilitate forward further grow help increase lengthen prolong push raise strengthen

STRONG

accelerate do expedite liberate release

VERB

taper

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate dwindle lessen recede subside taper off

STRONG

bate close diminish drain fade narrow reduce rescind thin wane weaken

WEAK

die away die out thin out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

enlarge extend grow increase rise

STRONG

expand raise strengthen

WEAK

go up

VERB

taper/taper off

Synonyms

WEAK

abate bate close come to a point die away die out diminish drain dwindle fade lessen narrow recede reduce rescind subside thin thin out wane weaken

Antonyms

WEAK

go up increase rise

VERB

terminate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abolish abort adjourn annul cancel cease complete conclude cut off determine discharge discontinue dismiss dissolve eliminate expire halt put an end to recess restrict sack wrap up

STRONG

achieve bounce bound close confine define desist drop end extinguish fire issue lapse limit perfect prorogue result scratch scrub tether wrap

WEAK

bring to an end come to an end prorogate run out ultimate wind up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accept allow begin carry on commence continue employ encourage engage establish hire hold introduce keep keep on permit ratify start uphold welcome

STRONG

bear create free go on let go release restart schedule set up

WEAK

initiate open

VERB

unwind

Synonyms

STRONGEST

sit back take it easy

STRONG

quieten recline rest

WEAK

calm down ease off loosen up quiet down slow down take a break

Antonyms

WEAK

agitate prepare ready tangle twist wind

VERB

wane

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate atrophy decrease die down die out dim dwindle ebb fade peter out shrink slacken subside taper off weaken wither

STRONG

decline drop fail fall moderate relent sink

WEAK

die away draw to a close ease off fade away fall short let up slack off waste away

Antonyms

STRONGEST

brighten develop enhance enlarge expand extend grow increase rise strengthen

STRONG

ascend go up reach win

WEAK

raise

NOUN

truce

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accord agreement amnesty armistice cease-fire détente lull moratorium pause peace reconciliation reprieve suspension

STRONG

break breather cessation de-escalation halt intermission interval letup respite rest stay terms treaty

WEAK

olive branch temporary peace white flag wind-down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continuation disagreement persistence war

STRONG

go start

WEAK

fight

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Belgium has spent the past two decades trying to wind down its nuclear industry, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine accelerated a rethink of that strategy.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

The exchange of fire occurred as the U.S. and Iran were negotiating a deal to wind down fighting.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

The unusual early look at his budget proposal comes as Newsom begins to wind down his time at the state Capitol and considers a run for president in 2028.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

With negotiations failing, the airline moved to wind down operations, cancel all flights, and begin processing refunds for affected passengers.

From Salon • May 2, 2026

I step outside after the meal, deciding to stroll for a bit, wind down before trying to sleep.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

wind down

Example Sentences

Related Words