as in ending
the last part of a process or action
the general announced that the remaining fighting would be only a mop-up to a war that was all but over
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 mop-up
On the western side, firefighters continued mop-up operations near structures and held fire lines established during earlier burnout efforts.
—
Christopher Harris, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Kyle Hurt and Jake Eder pitched in mop-up duty in the latter innings and each threw a scoreless inning.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
Two days later, Jacob was called into a 6-2 game in the eighth inning for what was seemingly mop-up duty.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
The five courses are available online for free and are prerequisites to obtaining a Firefighter Type II certificate, which is given to entry-level wildland firefighters who are responsible for fire suppression, fuels management and mop-up operations.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
Lovelady made six appearances for the Mets this season in mop-up roles.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
Veteran big man Charles Bassey, who is nearing the end of his second 10-day contract with the Celtics, went 3-for-3 in mop-up duty.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Rioux played sparingly in two years with the Gators, redshirting as a true freshman during the team's national championship season and then getting on the court in mop-up duty this past season.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Rioux played sparingly in two years with the Gators, redshirting as a true freshman during the team’s national championship season and then getting on the court in mop-up duty this past season.
—Mark Long, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Christopher Harris, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Kyle Hurt and Jake Eder pitched in mop-up duty in the latter innings and each threw a scoreless inning.
—Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
Two days later, Jacob was called into a 6-2 game in the eighth inning for what was seemingly mop-up duty.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
The five courses are available online for free and are prerequisites to obtaining a Firefighter Type II certificate, which is given to entry-level wildland firefighters who are responsible for fire suppression, fuels management and mop-up operations.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
Lovelady made six appearances for the Mets this season in mop-up roles.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
Veteran big man Charles Bassey, who is nearing the end of his second 10-day contract with the Celtics, went 3-for-3 in mop-up duty.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Rioux played sparingly in two years with the Gators, redshirting as a true freshman during the team's national championship season and then getting on the court in mop-up duty this past season.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Rioux played sparingly in two years with the Gators, redshirting as a true freshman during the team’s national championship season and then getting on the court in mop-up duty this past season.
—Mark Long, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mop-up
Noun
-
These periods tend to bring sudden news, endings, breakthroughs or a turning point.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Most romances begin with normal life and build to a happy ending.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
McFarlane’s first interim spell obviously represents far too small a sample to draw any definitive conclusions about his tactical style.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The 2025 paper comes to the conclusion that the result wouldn’t be great.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Toward the end of 2023, Dukes was arrested after leading police on a high-speed chase from west suburban Oak Brook to Chicago.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The Bruins managed to keep it tight through the end of the first, with the Sabres taking that 1-0 lead into the first intermission.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Initially, the series finale against the Diamondbacks produced little suspense.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Following this week’s Season 4 finale of Invincible, creator Robert Kirkman explained one major change from the comic books.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Priced between $8 million and $12 million, they are designed as turnkey residences, with layouts, finishes, and interiors already planned.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
-
For more of a statement finish, Clooney also accessorized the look with gold pieces, such as a Begum Khan clutch and pointy metallic pumps.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Officers established a perimeter around the 300 block of Gibson Drive, closing roadways west of the scene near Trehowell and Castaic drives, along with several side streets, the Roseville Police Department said.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
During closing arguments, Lynn Johnson, an attorney for Christine and Christopher Nolte, suggested the jury award $10 million for noneconomic damages and $5 million for economic damages.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The feat was the culmination of a shift—or, perhaps more aptly, a total disruption—in marathoning over the past few years, in which the eventual breaking of the mythical two-hour mark went from an impossibility to a guarantee.—
Alex Hutchinson,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The appointment, which requires Senate confirmation, appears to mark the culmination of a chaotic appointment process for a vacancy on the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners, which controls Kansas City’s police department.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mop-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mop-up. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
