as in to decide
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute
the rain clinched the matter: we would have the party indoors
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clinch
ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
After beating Purdue last week, clinching the program’s first Final Four berth in 25 years, Lloyd took control of an on-court interview.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers watched the Philadelphia Phillies clinch the National League East title on their home diamond after losing Monday's matchup in a back-and-forth duel.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clinch
Verb
Logan Stankoven scored two goals in the first nine minutes, and the Carolina Hurricanes clinched a playoff berth for the eighth season in a row by beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-1 on Thursday night.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
After beating Purdue last week, clinching the program’s first Final Four berth in 25 years, Lloyd took control of an on-court interview.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
The Padres will at some point clinch a playoff berth, perhaps as soon as tomorrow.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers watched the Philadelphia Phillies clinch the National League East title on their home diamond after losing Monday's matchup in a back-and-forth duel.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinch
Verb
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This information helps the military decide whether a rescue is immediately feasible, what methods should be used, and which aircraft to send to rescue the crew.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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As first impressions go, this was the equivalent of forgetting a date’s name, checking the phone while ordering, and deciding to talk religion and politics over dessert.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Eddy Moratin jogged down the stairs from his second-floor office at Lift Orlando’s headquarters to the lobby below, welcoming visitors with a first-name greeting and a hug.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
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Even a little boy walked up to her and asked to give her a hug.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The impossibility of his quest began to settle in.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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The Southlake megachurch and its attorneys want to use someone from the American Arbitration Association or a district judge to settle the matter.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Since 2018, the Day4Empathy reinforces Ebert’s embrace of the universal principles of empathy, humility, compassion and paying acts of kindness forward, Chaz Ebert said.—
Darcel Rockett,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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Bondi's public embrace of the president, however, marked a sharp departure from her predecessors, who generally took pains to maintain an arm's-length distance from the White House to protect the impartiality of investigations and prosecutions.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Roberts said Betts won’t play in Sunday’s series finale against the Washington Nationals, and his availability for the series in Toronto beginning Monday won’t be determined until after the results of the MRI are known.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
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For many years, the top pick was determined by a coin flip between the worst teams in the Western and Eastern Conferences.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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With his roots in the Wolverine State and ongoing ownership of the Pistons, he is believed to maintain a foothold in Michigan.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
3 Apr. 2026
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That can mean gaining multiple footholds, altering authentication settings or gaining access via third parties.—
William Akoto,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Javier Sanoja lined a double over the head of left fielder Jake McCarthy, who missed making the grab by inches.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
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The only question now is the final tally of Donald’s victims, mostly civilians and children, when his Middle East power grab from indiscriminate carpet-bombing comes to an end.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Democrats have historically struggled to gain solid footing in Utah, where about half the population belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
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Or the descent that follows, where tired muscles and unstable footing put strain on the knees.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinch. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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