cinch

noun

\ˈsinch

Definition of cinch

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a strap that holds a saddle on a horse

2 : a tight grip

3a : 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

cinch

verb

cinched; cinching; cinches

Definition of cinch (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

intransitive verb

: to tighten the cinch —often used with up cinched up before mounting his horse

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about cinch

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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.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Fifteen hundred sheets of regular printer paper may seem like a cinch in comparison to crushing a bowling ball or an anvil, but paper is deceptively hardy. — Sophie Weiner, Popular Mechanics, "The Hydraulic Press is Nearly Defeated By 1,500 Sheets of Paper," 28 July 2017 As far as cancer treatments go, treating a basal cell carcinoma is a cinch. — Macaela Mackenzie, Allure, "Skin Cancer: A Visual Guide to Identifying Warning Signs on Your Body," 2 July 2018 Hali is a five-time Pro Bowler and a cinch to one day be enshrined in the Chiefs’ Ring of Honor. — Blair Kerkhoff, kansascity, "Tamba Hali hints at retirement and sings praises of Chiefs' Mahomes," 27 June 2018 After all, as bargain hunters know, comparison shopping is a cinch online. — Patricia Cohen, New York Times, "E-Commerce Might Help Solve the Mystery of Low Inflation," 11 June 2018 There are amply stuffed baffles around the neck and collar and an elastic cinch strap to keep out frigid air. — Ariella Gintzler, Outside Online, "Testing Backcountry.com’s New Camping Gear," 1 June 2018 Patent leather used to be relegated to formal occasions, but today, patent leather is appropriate for all seasons and situations! Cleaning patent leather is a cinch: wipe with a dry microfiber cloth. — Heloise, Houston Chronicle, "Butter versus margarine," 20 June 2018 Obliterating Barack Obama’s legacy, by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Paris climate accord and Iran deal, was a cinch. — The Economist, "The rising cost of America First," 14 June 2018 Plus, taking a quick snap surreptitiously isn’t always a cinch. — Liana Satenstein, Vogue, "Instagram @NewYorkFromBehind Gives a Fascinating View of Street Style in the City," 11 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Accessorizing her chic all-black outfit, Kylie opted for a black purse that cinched around her waist and shoulder like a harness and a pair of fishnet heels. — Maria Pasquini, PEOPLE.com, "Kylie and Kendall Jenner Debut Bold Looks in N.Y.C. Ahead of the Met Gala," 6 May 2018 Oversize rounded shoulders, which were sometimes dramatically raised from the body, were a new silhouette variation on the house’s bread-and-butter cinched waist looks. — Washington Post, "Standing ovation at Valentino caps Paris couture week," 4 July 2018 But now, with a seat open and a golden opportunity to cinch conservative control of the high court, Mr. Trump's supporters are downplaying the issue. — CBS News, "Supreme Court could limit, but not eliminate, abortion rights," 29 June 2018 Dayton smashed four home runs in Game 2 and couldn't cinch the series. — Jason Mcdaniel, Houston Chronicle, "Elgin rallies to defeat Dayton, advances to regional finals," 19 May 2018 With 99 percent of the vote tallied, Arrington had 50.6 percent of the vote - a figure that would cinch the nomination outright. — Sean Sullivan, Anchorage Daily News, "Sanford falters in South Carolina after critical tweet from Trump," 13 June 2018 As a stylist cinched her dress, Artem Kubinskij huffed from a vape pen and livestreamed the whole ordeal, panning between Murphy and the bridge above. — Sam Hodgson, New York Times, "The Cobblestone Runway," 22 June 2018 At the wedding, Zara showed off a bit more of her bump, wearing a teal A-line dress cinched right above her stomach with matching pumps and a fascinator. — Kaitlyn Frey, PEOPLE.com, "Zara Tindall Covers Up Growing Baby Bump While Watching Prince William's Polo Match," 25 May 2018 The dress framed her shoulders and cinched ever so slightly at the waist, allowing her to breathe. — Emilia Petrarca, The Cut, "Wearing Givenchy, Meghan Markle Carried the World on Her Shoulders," 19 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cinch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.