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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Recent Examples of clinch
Joe Vardon, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Lil Durk clinches a milestone 10th top 10 project on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart as Deep Thoughts opens at No. 2 on the list dated April 12.
—Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
After that, Buckley seemed more careful about positioning, doing his best to keep the action in the open while not allowing Covington to close in and work from the clinch.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for clinch
Verb
For the first time in team history without LeBron in the house, the Cavs clinched the No. 1 seed in the East headed into the postseason.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Lil Durk clinches a milestone 10th top 10 project on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart as Deep Thoughts opens at No. 2 on the list dated April 12.
—Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
The 11-5 Ravens, however, are playing for their second-straight clinch of the AFC North on Sunday.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
After that, Buckley seemed more careful about positioning, doing his best to keep the action in the open while not allowing Covington to close in and work from the clinch.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for clinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinch
Verb
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Upset with how his own Democratic Party is responding to Trump, he's decided to do just that.—
Elena Moore,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2025
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However Republicans decide to handle them, legislative experts say that’s where their attention will be focused.—
Aris Folley,
The Hill,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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While many amber scents smell like a warm hug—if a hug had a scent, that is—this bright iteration smells like getting a double-cheek air kiss from a chic young Parisienne who’s hoofing it to her front-row seat at a fashion show (Chanel, of course).—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
20 Apr. 2025
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Tucker's charm is magnetic; even the groomers and vet can't resist his hugs, kisses, and tail-wagging enthusiasm.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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For all the chaos and strife of the tariffs in the opening act of his second term, Trump’s U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade deal, which went into effect in 2020, and his negotiations with China during his first term indicate some ability not just to pick economic fights but to try to settle them.—
Jennifer M. Harris,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
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Thousands of European Jews, including Sheinbaum’s grandparents, settled in the capital’s historic center.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The billionaire's work as an adviser to Trump and his embrace of right-wing politics in Europe have drawn widespread opposition, including protests and vandalism at Tesla showrooms.—
Akash Sriram and Abhirup Roy,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
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This plays into the choreographer’s embrace of symbolism—beloved since childhood, when postcards of the surrealistic paintings of Dalí and Magritte fired her imagination.—
Guillermo Perez,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Transparent pricing: Rates are determined based on calculations that consider real factors—from driving experience and vehicle type to business location.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
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The new hearing is scheduled for May 9 and will determine the admissibility of the reports.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The former recently offered the ability to integrate its chatbot Claude into Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Calendar—gaining a foothold in an existing tech ecosystem rather than building anew.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
22 Apr. 2025
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China does not want external powers, particularly in the West, to gain a foothold in Myanmar and thereby challenge Beijing’s regional dominance.—
Ye Myo Hein,
Foreign Affairs,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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New faces on defense There were significant questions about the Broncos’ defense heading into the spring, with several starting positions up for grabs.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Apr. 2025
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Even after guaranteeing more than $53 million in free agency to center Ryan Kelly and left guard Will Fries, the right guard spot remains up for grabs for a prospect who could push incumbent Blake Brandel.—
Dave Campbell,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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After finding his footing as a political reporter for the outlet, he was named their White House correspondent and co-author of Politico Playbook, an early-morning newsletter that every political journalist and Washington insider subscribes to.—
Kyler Alvord,
People.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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But because the Fan Vote is one unified ballot as opposed to a tiered or weighted system, all seven artists are on equal footing.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinch. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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