wind down

verb

wound down also winded down; winding down; winds down

intransitive verb

1

: to draw gradually toward an end

the party was winding down

2

: relax, unwind

wind down with a good book

transitive verb

: to cause a gradual lessening of usually with the intention of bringing to an end

Synonyms

• chill
• chill out [slang]
• de-stress
• decompress
• loosen up
• mellow (out)
• relax
• unwind

Examples of wind down in a Sentence

not being one for alcoholic beverages, I prefer to wind down with a cup of tea every night

Recent Examples on the Web

Rather than winding down before bed, the cousins busted a move in their pink pajamas in different spots in Khloé's house. —Hannah Sacks, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025

As the event wound down, Alford struggled to quiet the audience amid shouting. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2025

Israel has shifted its attention to the centers of militancy in the northern West Bank as its campaign against Hamas in Gaza has wound down. —Isabel Kershner, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025

As the day winds down, these individuals’ energy levels rev up with a preferred bedtime at around midnight, Breus stated in his report. —Amy McGorry, Fox News, 23 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for wind down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown