clinched; clinching; clinches
1
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
1
: to hold an opponent (as in boxing) at close quarters with one or both arms
2
: to hold fast or firmly
Examples of clinch in a Sentence
Verb
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.
Noun
The referee told the boxers to break their clinch.
Recent Examples on the Web
Leon Imber, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Trump's defiant response helped clinch a campaign that had begun heading his way.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Not only were Covington's takedown attempts slow and telegraphed, but his attempts to move forward and use his striking to get the clinch was also slow.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for clinch
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Verb
Their title at the All England Club is a third on British soil this season, having clinched doubles crowns at Queen’s and Eastbourne during a run of 14 straight victories.
—Leon Imber, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Trump's defiant response helped clinch a campaign that had begun heading his way.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Noun
William Zepeda Breakdown Stevenson is active in the clinch.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Not only were Covington's takedown attempts slow and telegraphed, but his attempts to move forward and use his striking to get the clinch was also slow.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for clinch
Cite this Entry
“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clinch. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clinch
2 of 2 noun1
: a fastening by means of a clinched nail, rivet, or bolt
2
: the clinched part of a nail, bolt, or rivet
Geographical Definition
Clinch
geographical name
river about 300 miles (480 kilometers) long in southwestern Virginia and eastern Tennessee flowing southwest into the Tennessee River
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