Thesaurus results for COUNTDOWN

countdown

noun

Definition of countdown

as in preliminary

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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 countdown The countdown to the 2026–27 NBA season is almost over, with Memphis Grizzlies fans gearing up for another year of basketball. — Sophie Dunne, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026 Launch campaigns for new rockets often take months before a first flight, involving multiple integrated fueling tests, countdown rehearsals, and a static fire. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026 To him, the study sounded like a countdown to men no longer being able to reproduce. — Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 The telecast included 42 performers and four live countdown celebrations, with performances from Times Square, Las Vegas, Chicago, Puerto Rico, Nashville Kansas City and more. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for countdown

Recent Examples of Synonyms for countdown

Noun

This year’s Miss World competition recently made headlines during the preliminaries when Ugandan delegate Elle Muhoza made a powerful fashion statement.

— Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
But all of that was just the preliminaries for Grady Emerson.

— John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026

Definition of preliminary

Noun

His music put melody and relatability ahead of acrobatics, and his overtures still had swagger.

— Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
The protests came ahead of next month’s snap election as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s Socialist Party criticized the conservative opposition Popular Party for making overtures about privatizing public pensions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of overture

Noun

The anticipated early 2028 production start will mark the next stage of the company’s investment in Colorado.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
The Heat also stuck with essentially the same bench rotation (but with a twist) despite its rough start to the season.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of start

Noun

The Bulldogs have road games at Penn and Columbia, then home games against Brown and Princeton, the prelude to The Game at Fenway Park.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
And yet, in Wembanyama’s eyes — and those of his teammates — those accomplishments amount to little more than a prelude.

— Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of prelude

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countable

countdown

countdowns

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“Countdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countdown. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of countdown

noun

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