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
Synonyms
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2023
Moving up the final line renovation, a circuit between Estonia and Latvia to be ready at the end of 2024, clinched the deal to accelerate synchronization with Europe.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Nov. 2023
Perhaps a clinching factor was that Woods was going to play.
—WIRED, 9 Nov. 2023
United Auto Workers leaders bargained for months and called a historic strike before clinching tentative agreements with Detroit’s automakers.
—Nora Eckert, WSJ, 3 Nov. 2023
The win clinched a second straight Coastal League title for the Knights (7-3, 6-0).
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2023
The Diamondbacks will now face the Texas Rangers in the World Series, who, too, won Games 6 and 7 on the road to clinch their spot into the final round.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 25 Oct. 2023
This victory marked Rosalía as the first female artist to clinch the album of the year award twice as a lead artist.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Nov. 2023
The Dutch driver has won 17 of the 20 races run so far this season, has clinched the championship, and will soon move into third place on F1’s all-time-wins leader board.
—Mark Naida, WSJ, 15 Nov. 2023
Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 18 Oct. 2023
Even during our coffee, Lane was unable to describe an emotional clinch with the sewer creatures without bursting into laughter.
—Kyle Buchanan, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023
The hanging jumper from the foul line over Craig Ehlo at the buzzer in Game 5 clinches the first-round series for the Bulls.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2023
Thankfully, Alek Keshishian isn’t rushing to go any such place in the final clinch; her further recovery will be a series of subtle adjustments, it’s suggested, rather than any savior in a white coat or sudden deus-ex-machine sense of redemptive self-worth.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2022
The clinch cover embraced design excess and its roots in pulp illustration.
—Hazlitt, 8 Feb. 2023
McClellan got the starting nod in a similar situation against Minnesota on Feb. 11 and delivered 32 saves in a 3-1 win that delayed the Gophers' clinch of the Big Ten title.
—Mark Stewart, Journal Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2023
Maintaining a high guard, keeping his distance or engaging in a clinch when Askren closes the gap will allow him to both frustrate his opponent and dictate the pace of the fight.
—Zack Jones, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2021
The last road trip of the year could feature history, a clinch and the end of postseason hopes, all at the Orioles’ expense.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 26 Sep. 2022
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Verb
The pass was picked off by Luka Doncic and Irving later clinched it with free throws.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2023
Moving up the final line renovation, a circuit between Estonia and Latvia to be ready at the end of 2024, clinched the deal to accelerate synchronization with Europe.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Nov. 2023
Perhaps a clinching factor was that Woods was going to play.
—WIRED, 9 Nov. 2023
United Auto Workers leaders bargained for months and called a historic strike before clinching tentative agreements with Detroit’s automakers.
—Nora Eckert, WSJ, 3 Nov. 2023
The win clinched a second straight Coastal League title for the Knights (7-3, 6-0).
—John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2023
The Diamondbacks will now face the Texas Rangers in the World Series, who, too, won Games 6 and 7 on the road to clinch their spot into the final round.
—Ryan Morik, Fox News, 25 Oct. 2023
This victory marked Rosalía as the first female artist to clinch the album of the year award twice as a lead artist.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Nov. 2023
The Dutch driver has won 17 of the 20 races run so far this season, has clinched the championship, and will soon move into third place on F1’s all-time-wins leader board.
—Mark Naida, WSJ, 15 Nov. 2023
Noun
Knots like the improved clinch and uni are quick to tie, as is the Palomar knot, which is regarded as one of the strongest fishing knots ever created.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 18 Oct. 2023
Even during our coffee, Lane was unable to describe an emotional clinch with the sewer creatures without bursting into laughter.
—Kyle Buchanan, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023
The hanging jumper from the foul line over Craig Ehlo at the buzzer in Game 5 clinches the first-round series for the Bulls.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2023
Thankfully, Alek Keshishian isn’t rushing to go any such place in the final clinch; her further recovery will be a series of subtle adjustments, it’s suggested, rather than any savior in a white coat or sudden deus-ex-machine sense of redemptive self-worth.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2022
The clinch cover embraced design excess and its roots in pulp illustration.
—Hazlitt, 8 Feb. 2023
McClellan got the starting nod in a similar situation against Minnesota on Feb. 11 and delivered 32 saves in a 3-1 win that delayed the Gophers' clinch of the Big Ten title.
—Mark Stewart, Journal Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2023
Maintaining a high guard, keeping his distance or engaging in a clinch when Askren closes the gap will allow him to both frustrate his opponent and dictate the pace of the fight.
—Zack Jones, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2021
The last road trip of the year could feature history, a clinch and the end of postseason hopes, all at the Orioles’ expense.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 26 Sep. 2022
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clinch.' 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
Verb
probably alteration of clench
First Known Use
Verb
1542, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
1659, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Articles Related to clinch
Dictionary Entries Near clinch
Cite this Entry
“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clinch. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.
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Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on clinch
Nglish: Translation of clinch for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of clinch for Arabic Speakers
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