clinch

verb \ ˈklinch \

Definition of clinch

transitive verb

1 :clench 3

2 a :to turn over or flatten the protruding pointed end of (a driven nail); also :to treat (a screw, a bolt, a rivet, etc.) in a similar way

b :to fasten in this way

3 a :to make final or irrefutable :settle

that clinched the argument

b :to assure the winning of

scored a touchdown to clinch the game

intransitive verb

1 :to hold an opponent (as in boxing) at close quarters with one or both arms

2 :to hold fast or firmly

—

clinchingly

play \ˈklin-chiŋ-lē\ adverb

See clinch defined for English-language learners

See clinch defined for kids

Examples of clinch in a Sentence

His home run clinched the victory.
The new evidence clinches the case.
Her work on the project should clinch her a promotion.
The photos of the city have clinched it for me. I have to visit Prague.
If they win tonight's game they'll clinch the pennant.

Recent Examples of clinch from the Web

The Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, defeated the Gateway Grizzlies in 11 innings, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon at UC Health Stadium to clinch the West Division title.

— enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "Freedom qualify for Frontier League playoffs," 29 Aug. 2017
The Dodgers woke up Monday 91-38 with their magic number to clinch the National League West at 14 – on Aug. 28.

— david haugh, chicagotribune.com, "Bring on the Dodgers? Good one, Joe Maddon," 28 Aug. 2017
Running the idea by some neighborhood kids clinched it.

— tara bahrampour, Washington Post, "This 94-year-old widower made a splash by installing a pool in his yard for neighborhood kids," 24 Aug. 2017
That shot clinched the tournament, handing him a four-shot lead over Doyle and Farnam at that time.

— mike hutton, Post-Tribune, "Purdue's Timmy Hildebrand breaks through to take Northern Amateur title," 21 July 2017
The Red Devils, behind 17 points from Gibson, clinched their first unbeaten HHC campaign in eight years with a 41-39 win over rival New Albany on January 20.

— kyle williams, The Courier-Journal, "Jeffersonville girls basketball standout Jacinta Gibson commits to Western Michigan," 16 July 2017
This is later changed to 4 p.m. June 7, evening Trump wins the primaries in California, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota, giving him the delegates to officially clinch the Republican nomination.

— philip bump, Washington Post, "What happened and when: The timeline leading up to Donald Trump Jr.’s fateful meeting," 11 July 2017
The Dodgers ended up tying the game in the bottom of the eighth inning and clinched the win against the Royals with a 5-4 score in the bottom of the 10th inning.

— katina beniaris, Country Living, "This Hilarious Dancing Grandma Flashed Her Bra on the Dodgers' JumboTron," 10 July 2017
Asmussen clinched his 18th Churchill training title following Providence’s three-length victory in Wednesday’s sixth race.

— jason frakes, The Courier-Journal, "Asmussen's promising 2-year-old Copper Bullet headlines Bashford Manor," 29 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of clinch

probably alteration of clench

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1542

See Words from the same year

clinch Synonyms

Synonyms

decide, determine, nail, settle

Related Words

demonstrate, establish, nail (down), prove, show; affirm, assure, ensure, insure, secure; define, specify, state, stipulate; clarify, clear (up), illuminate; conclude, end, finish

Near Antonyms

confuse, muddle, muddy, unsettle

clinch

noun

Definition of clinch

1 :a fastening by means of a clinched nail, rivet, or bolt; also :the clinched part of a nail, rivet, or bolt

2 archaic :pun

3 :an act or instance of clinching in boxing

4 :embrace

See clinch defined for English-language learners

Examples of clinch in a Sentence

The referee told the boxers to break their clinch.

Recent Examples of clinch from the Web

McGregor could repeatedly tie up Mayweather and attempt to land shots in the clinch.

— greg beacham, The Seattle Times, "McGregor must get rough and creative to upset Mayweather," 24 Aug. 2017
The fighters came together in a fourth-round clinch and the referee Mills Lane (!) pushed the men apart.

— victor mather, New York Times, "An Anthology of Weird Las Vegas Boxing Matches," 23 Aug. 2017
Jolly worked for a clinch under a right hand from Menifield, but Menifield was able to push Jolly to the cage.

— grant gordon, Glendale News-Press, "Menifield prevails on 'Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series'," 25 July 2017
Start in a staggered stance with your right foot back and your hands cupped in a clinch position at head level.

— jessica fecteau, PEOPLE.com, "Prep Your Body for Summer Music Festivals with This Mini Endurance Workout," 21 July 2017
This new find clinches that notion with fossil evidence, and helps flesh out the fate of birds during this crucial time period.

— carolyn gramling, Science | AAAS, "Tiny fossil reveals what happened to birds after dinosaurs went extinct," 10 July 2017
Yauger clinches and lands a few more of those knees.

— todd martin, latimes.com, "Fedor Emelianenko vs. Matt Mitrione live round-by-round coverage," 24 June 2017
Woody, clearly using the audition as a chance to grope young female flesh, immediately gets Betty in a clinch.

— lili anolik, HWD, "Inside the Making of Mulholland Drive, David Lynch’s Dark, Freudian Masterpiece," 19 June 2017
Lines outside of Dick's immediately after a Cavaliers clinch have become a familiar site over the last two years.

— joey morona, cleveland.com, "Dick's Sporting Goods will open late if the Cavaliers clinch tonight," 25 May 2017

First Known Use of clinch

1659

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

Clinch

geographical name \ ˈklinch \

Definition of Clinch

river about 300 miles (480 kilometers) long in southwestern Virginia and eastern Tennessee flowing southwest into the Tennessee River

CLINCH Defined for English Language Learners

clinch

verb

Definition of clinch for English Language Learners

: to make (something) certain or final
: to make certain the winning of (something)
: to hold each other closely during a fight

clinch

noun

Definition of clinch for English Language Learners

: a position in which two people (such as two boxers) are holding each other very closely

CLINCH Defined for Kids

clinch

verb \ ˈklinch \

Definition of clinch for Students

clinched; clinching

:to show to be certain or true

She presented facts that clinched the argument.

Learn More about clinch

See words that rhyme with clinch Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for clinch Spanish Central: Translation of clinch Nglish: Translation of clinch for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of clinch for Arabic speakers

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clinch

Definition of clinch

clinchingly

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Examples of clinch in a Sentence

Recent Examples of clinch from the Web

Origin and Etymology of clinch

clinch Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

clinch

Definition of clinch

Examples of clinch in a Sentence

Recent Examples of clinch from the Web

First Known Use of clinch

Other Building Terms

Clinch

Definition of Clinch

CLINCH Defined for English Language Learners

clinch

Definition of clinch for English Language Learners

clinch

Definition of clinch for English Language Learners

CLINCH Defined for Kids

clinch

Definition of clinch for Students

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