as in to decide
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute
the rain clinched the matter: we would have the party indoors
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 clinch
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
30 June 2026
The Germans clinched their group with a game to spare and lost 2-1 to Ecuador in the last group game with nothing to play for.
—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Schneider will hand the ball from reliever to reliever hoping to tight-walk to a road clinch.
—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clinch
Verb
And interestingly, every goal that clinched a trophy at one of the four key soccer tournaments came in a control or heritage boot.
—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
30 June 2026
The Germans clinched their group with a game to spare and lost 2-1 to Ecuador in the last group game with nothing to play for.
—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Noun
By virtue of their relative scarcity—there have been eight empty-the-tank outings since the century began—every Game 7 is an unqualified treat, but the Dodgers’ clinch was one for the ages.
—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Schneider will hand the ball from reliever to reliever hoping to tight-walk to a road clinch.
—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinch
Verb
-
Both Swift and Kelce decided to forgo bridesmaids and groomsmen, per a statement shared with People.
-
Later, Swift revealed that she was charmed by Kelce’s willingness to court her so publicly and decided to give him a chance.
Noun
-
Riles’s employees—his teammates—pile onto him in one big hug.
-
The Internet basically exploded over the moment, which included a Travis/Donna Kelce hug and a meaningful moment with Jason Kelce.
Verb
-
Delta has denied these allegations and settled Nejat’s lawsuit last year.
-
The company agreed to settle the case without admitting liability.
Noun
-
The couple embrace on a leather armchair somewhere in the home in this 1969 snap.
-
Today, the country’s embrace of the technology is evidenced by the ubiquity of robots.
Verb
-
Readiness is an ongoing practice, not a declaration, determined by daily interactions and the safety to be candid.
-
Investigators later determined the teen had distant family members in Colorado.
Noun
-
As millions of Venezuelan refugees moved through Latin America, Tren de Aragua established criminal footholds along migration corridors, extending its reach into Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador and eventually the United States.
-
Rare artifacts, detailed maps and personal stories walk visitors through a time when control of Fort Pitt meant control of the West, giving colonists a crucial foothold in the struggle against British rule.
Noun
-
Ojai was designed for accessibility with large grab bars by the doors and braille on the door controls.
-
Bathrooms are wheelchair accessible and can be equipped with a roll-in shower, shower seat, grab bars, and more.
Noun
-
That’s been evident to ACHD since 2017, when high water tore through the base of the bridge and damaged its footings, requiring emergency repairs and riprap.
-
Gunn and Gillespie had creative differences over the direction of the movie, numerous sources tell The Hollywood Reporter, and the film never found its footing in the post-production process.
Cite this Entry
“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinch. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
