as in narrow
showing little difference in the standing of the competitors
a down-to-the-wire contest for the pennant
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Recent Examples of down-to-the-wire
Muhl’s appearance was brief in the down-to-the-wire battle, which ended in an 85-83 victory for the Storm.
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Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2024
The last great, down-to-the-wire race for the scoring crown came in 2014-15, when Jamie Benn edged out John Tavares by one point and Sidney Crosby by three.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2024
The Detroit Lions hit ratings gold with their down-to-the-wire 24-23 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night on NBC and Peacock.
—Amy Huschka, Detroit Free Press, 17 Jan. 2024
As the country participated in the gratuitous orgy of capitalism otherwise known as Super Bowl LVIII, the real ones know that even though the Chiefs came out on top in a down-to-the-wire overtime win over the 49ers, the bona-fide highlights of every Super Bowl Sunday are those super spots.
—Rob Ledonne, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire 
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2024
The last great, down-to-the-wire race for the scoring crown came in 2014-15, when Jamie Benn edged out John Tavares by one point and Sidney Crosby by three.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2024
The Detroit Lions hit ratings gold with their down-to-the-wire 24-23 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night on NBC and Peacock.
—Amy Huschka, Detroit Free Press, 17 Jan. 2024
As the country participated in the gratuitous orgy of capitalism otherwise known as Super Bowl LVIII, the real ones know that even though the Chiefs came out on top in a down-to-the-wire overtime win over the 49ers, the bona-fide highlights of every Super Bowl Sunday are those super spots.
—Rob Ledonne, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-to-the-wire
Adjective
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Blackhawks express desperation but don't show it in another narrow defeat What's ailing the Packers in the red zone?New York Times, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2024
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Shutting down the Department of Education requires congressional approval and with Republicans holding a narrow majority in the Senate, Trump's bid faces a narrow path forward.Erin Doherty, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Ballot recounts are scheduled Tuesday for two close Ramsey County races.Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024
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China demonstrated its pull on the world stage by welcoming a delegation from Saudi Arabia with its first pavilion at the event, as well as its close ties with Russia even as that country is isolated from Western nations and their allies due to its invasion of Ukraine.Reuters, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The company’s markets wagered correctly and controversially in Donald Trump’s favor in bets on who would win the presidential election, even though opinion polls showed a tight race.Sophia Pargas, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
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Incumbent Leonel Talavera and her opponent, Vanesa Estrella, are locked in a tight race for Area 5.Alexcia Negrete, Orange County Register, 9 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near down-to-the-wire
Cite this Entry
“Down-to-the-wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down-to-the-wire. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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