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
The first round was a letdown, but then came an instant classic Texas-Arizona State Peach Bowl, two down-to-the-wire semifinals and a big-brand championship game that wasn’t officially over until the final 30 seconds.
—
Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
The comedian and political host incised the D.C. affair with one-liners aimed at those in attendance (from their fashion choices to their general decision to show up at all), X owner Elon Musk’s odd/potentially terrifying salute and outgoing POTUS Joe Biden’s down-to-the-wire blanket pardon.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2025
While the coach spoke briefly about his heritage following the down-to-the-wire victory, he’s been open about his background in the past.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025
In another down-to-the-wire process, the Treasury Department this week finalized rules for investment tax credits under the IRA that are more favorable to the biogas industry, following lobbying from both trade groups and members such as Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.).
—Zack Budryk, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
Stewart Mandel, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
The comedian and political host incised the D.C. affair with one-liners aimed at those in attendance (from their fashion choices to their general decision to show up at all), X owner Elon Musk’s odd/potentially terrifying salute and outgoing POTUS Joe Biden’s down-to-the-wire blanket pardon.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2025
While the coach spoke briefly about his heritage following the down-to-the-wire victory, he’s been open about his background in the past.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025
In another down-to-the-wire process, the Treasury Department this week finalized rules for investment tax credits under the IRA that are more favorable to the biogas industry, following lobbying from both trade groups and members such as Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.).
—Zack Budryk, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for down-to-the-wire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for down-to-the-wire
Adjective
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Thirty narrow stairs lead to City Ballet’s bright, top floor rehearsal studio, with double ballet barres lining three walls, a floor-to-ceiling mirror, and an open ceiling with a treacherously low center beam that high jumping dancers have learned to avoid.—
Marcia Luttrell,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
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Others may include family offices that offer a narrower range of services.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But longtime close watchers of Epstein and his legal ordeal made the case in a series of posts on X that such a list may never emerge.—
Chad de Guzman,
TIME,
28 Feb. 2025
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Improvements encompass a new conference center on the north end, elevated seating, closer premium seating, and the new scoreboard.—
Tammy Ljungblad,
Kansas City Star,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) forecasts a modest 0.2 percent increase in single-family home builds to start in 2025, but notes that regulatory hurdles, construction costs and tight lending conditions could slow further expansion.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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As a result, prognosticators consider this a tight race.—
Nathaniel Rakich,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Down-to-the-wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/down-to-the-wire. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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