1
: a strap that holds a saddle on a horse
2
: a tight grip
3
a
: a thing done with ease
Getting reelected would be a cinch for him.
b
: a certainty to happen
it's a cinch he'll break the record
cinched; cinching; cinches
1
a
: to put a cinch on
cinch a horse
b
: to fasten (something, such as a belt or strap) tightly
He cinched his belt tight.
2
: to make certain : assure
the goal that cinched the victory
: to tighten the cinch
—often used with up
cinched up before mounting his horse
Synonyms
Examples of cinch in a Sentence
Noun
This recipe is a cinch.
This dish is a cinch to make.
Verb
The coat is cinched at the waist.
The rider cinched the saddle.
The candidate cinched the nomination by winning the major primary elections.
The home run cinched the victory.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2023
If Cage has somehow not yet managed to worm his way into our collective unconscious, Dream Scenario is a cinch to seal the deal.
—Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Sep. 2023
The three incline levels are easy to adjust, the straps are a cinch to put together, and a durable fabric cover that lends some stability to the bouncer overall.
—Sarah Bradley, Parents, 8 Sep. 2023
This includes clear backpacks, fanny packs and cinch bags.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 26 Aug. 2023
At the start of the conference finals, a Celtics win seemed like a cinch.
—Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2023
The all-in-one LED light is ready to go out of the box and a cinch to install.
—Adria Greenhauff, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2023
The good news is that cleaning an oven is a cinch to master.
—Alicia Chilton, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2023
Cutlery rests at an angle, so grabbing one fork is a cinch.
—Carolyn Forté, Good Housekeeping, 15 Aug. 2023
Alex Kessler, Glamour, 13 Sep. 2023
Despite the contrasting colors and fabrics, the friends’ dresses were alike in their cinching silhouettes.
—Alex Kessler, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2023
King Charles’ younger son was all smiles in his prime spot and followed closely as Lionel Messi helped Miami beat Los Angeles 3-1, cinching a win for the team's co-owner David Beckham.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2023
The new details about the Saudi border killings come as President Biden seeks to overcome past tensions and cinch a diplomatic breakthrough between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
—Ben Hubbard, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Aug. 2023
The Yankees head into the week 60-64 and Boston's weekend sweep left them six games behind the fourth-place Red Sox – perhaps cinching New York's first last-place finish since 1991.
—Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 21 Aug. 2023
Think of this as a cinching belt (that stretches up to 45 inches) for your travel bags.
—Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2023
For added drama, Kardashian cinched the waist of her skintight maxidress with a black leather belt and layered on a chunky gold necklace to highlight the gown’s elegant turtleneck.
—Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2023
Just fold the seat down, store it inside the storage bag, roll it up, cinch it down, and throw it over your shoulder with the carry strap.
—Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 25 Aug. 2023
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Noun
Mature skin that is hydrated, even-toned, with a flawless natural finish is a cinch with this formula.
—Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2023
If Cage has somehow not yet managed to worm his way into our collective unconscious, Dream Scenario is a cinch to seal the deal.
—Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Sep. 2023
The three incline levels are easy to adjust, the straps are a cinch to put together, and a durable fabric cover that lends some stability to the bouncer overall.
—Sarah Bradley, Parents, 8 Sep. 2023
This includes clear backpacks, fanny packs and cinch bags.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 26 Aug. 2023
At the start of the conference finals, a Celtics win seemed like a cinch.
—Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2023
The all-in-one LED light is ready to go out of the box and a cinch to install.
—Adria Greenhauff, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2023
The good news is that cleaning an oven is a cinch to master.
—Alicia Chilton, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2023
Cutlery rests at an angle, so grabbing one fork is a cinch.
—Carolyn Forté, Good Housekeeping, 15 Aug. 2023
Verb
Gilbert Carrasquillo Gilbert Carrasquillo Despite the contrasting colors and fabrics, the friends’ dresses were alike in their cinching silhouettes.
—Alex Kessler, Glamour, 13 Sep. 2023
Despite the contrasting colors and fabrics, the friends’ dresses were alike in their cinching silhouettes.
—Alex Kessler, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2023
King Charles’ younger son was all smiles in his prime spot and followed closely as Lionel Messi helped Miami beat Los Angeles 3-1, cinching a win for the team's co-owner David Beckham.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2023
The new details about the Saudi border killings come as President Biden seeks to overcome past tensions and cinch a diplomatic breakthrough between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
—Ben Hubbard, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Aug. 2023
The Yankees head into the week 60-64 and Boston's weekend sweep left them six games behind the fourth-place Red Sox – perhaps cinching New York's first last-place finish since 1991.
—Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 21 Aug. 2023
Think of this as a cinching belt (that stretches up to 45 inches) for your travel bags.
—Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2023
For added drama, Kardashian cinched the waist of her skintight maxidress with a black leather belt and layered on a chunky gold necklace to highlight the gown’s elegant turtleneck.
—Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2023
Just fold the seat down, store it inside the storage bag, roll it up, cinch it down, and throw it over your shoulder with the carry strap.
—Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 25 Aug. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cinch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Spanish cincha, from Latin cingula girdle, girth, from cingere — more at cincture
First Known Use
Noun
1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1866, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Articles Related to cinch
Dictionary Entries Near cinch
Cite this Entry
“Cinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cinch. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
cinch
1 of 2 noun1
: a strong girth for a pack or saddle
2
: an easy thing to do
3
: something sure to happen
cinch
2 of 2 verb1
: to put a cinch on
2
: to make certain
the goal that cinched the victory
More from Merriam-Webster on cinch
Nglish: Translation of cinch for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cinch
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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