as in aces in the hole
something (as a fact or argument) that is decisive or overwhelming
the fact that the resort had tennis courts was the clincher in our deciding to stay there
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Recent Examples of clinchers
Daytona will always be big, as will championship clinchers.
—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Manager Rob Thomson punctuated the Phillies' postseason clinchers over the years with a call-and-response in the clubhouse, asking Realmuto how many more wins were needed to win the World Series.
—
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
Four games, all of them potential Division Series clinchers … on the same day?
—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Manager Rob Thomson punctuated the Phillies' postseason clinchers over the years with a call-and-response in the clubhouse, asking Realmuto how many more wins were needed to win the World Series.
—
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
Four games, all of them potential Division Series clinchers … on the same day?
—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinchers
Noun
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These pieces were the sparkling toppers to her unforgettable style.
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After years of covering these deals, the Shop AD team has noticed that most of these summer mattress savings include essentials for your entire bedscape—we’re talking mattress toppers, pillows, and sheet sets.
Noun
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In 2023 and 2024, investors from China, Canada and Ethiopia arrived at artisanal mining sites with rock crushers, excavators and flasks filled with mercury, according to dozens of interviews with local miners, government officials and industry insiders.
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But regulation losses … those are the crushers.
Noun
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There is a high probability that following the team regularly will lead to securing tickets via ballots — but only the top cappers have guarantees.
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But unlike other series cappers, Last Rites didn’t try to be a summation of every demonic threat the duo has ever encountered, instead opting for another familial story by way of 1986’s Smurl haunting in Pennsylvania.
Noun
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The amount each subscriber may receive has not been disclosed and will depend on factors such as how long a person has been subscribed and how many valid claims are filed.
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Spending on Medi-Cal has more than doubled over the last 10 years, which the LAO attributes to an increase in costs per enrollee, more enrollees and a greater share of seniors seeking care, among other factors.
Noun
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Both parameters were identified as the most important determinants of the fill factor at low voltage losses.
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In my own research on Ebola, SARS and MERS, my colleagues and I have shown that the speed at which infected people are identified and removed from the community is one of the strongest determinants of outbreak size.
Cite this Entry
“Clinchers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinchers. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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