clinch

verb \ ˈklinch \

Updated on: 13 May 2018

Definition of clinch

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

Sunday, though, Hughes went 3-for-4 with what ended up being the game-winning RBI in a series-clinching win against No.

— brody miller, NOLA.com, "LSU's Hal Hughes had career game with extra coach in the stands," 8 May 2018
The ball deflected into the air and was intercepted by OU linebacker Teddy Lehman for the game-clinching touchdown in a 14-3 win.

— mac engel, star-telegram, "Cotton Bowl inductees express opposite views of career-defining plays | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 8 May 2018
New York Mets outfielder Jay Bruce, playing against his former team for the second time, says his walk-off, division-clinching homer in 2010 ranks at the top of his baseball memories.

— bobby nightengale, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton adjusts swing, wants to earn leadoff spot," 8 May 2018
Bruce considers his division-clinching walk-off homer at GABP in 2010 as his top moment in the majors.

— joe kay, courant.com, "Bruce Homers In His Old Ballpark, Mets Overpower Reds 7-6," 7 May 2018
But as things progressed, the Mustangs asserted themselves and pulled away by winning the final four games for what ended up being the match-clinching victory.

— brent kennedy, Howard County Times, "Marriotts Ridge girls tennis handles Howard to stay undefeated," 1 May 2018
Mitchell's 38-point close-out game against Oklahoma City was the fourth-highest rookie scoring total in a playoff series-clinching win.

— paul coro, latimes.com, "Jazz vs. Rockets: How Utah and Houston match up in the second round of the NBA playoffs," 28 Apr. 2018
Don Estridge also received five points from Checorey Bouie and two from Brianna Bray in the title-clinching win over Jupiter.

— gary curreri, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Don Estridge Dragons rally to title in county middle school girls hoops," 22 Apr. 2018
Following Auburn's series-clinching win against Mississippi State on Sunday, when the Tigers plated seven runs in the sixth inning, coach Butch Thompson said one inning wouldn't necessarily fix the team's offensive struggles.

— tom green, AL.com, "Auburn baseball's offense comes to life in win vs. UAB," 17 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

clinch Synonyms

Synonyms

decide, determine, nail, settle;

Near Antonyms

confuse, muddle, muddy, unsettle;

affirm, assure, ensure, insure, secure;

define, specify, state, stipulate;

clarify, clear (up), illuminate;

conclude, end, finish;

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

City have the chance to sew up the Premier League title against their bitter rivals at the Etihad Stadium with a win - which would be the earliest clinch in the competition's history.

— SI.com, "Pep Guardiola Set to Rest Key Stars Against Man Utd as They Prioritise Crucial UCL Clash," 3 Apr. 2018
Font lands a hard straight right hand shortly thereafter and clinches.

— todd martin, latimes.com, "Thomas Almeida vs. Rob Font live round-by-round coverage," 21 Jan. 2018
After a little bit at range, Wilkinson goes back to the clinch.

— todd martin, latimes.com, "Israel Adesanya vs. Rob Wilkinson live round-by-round coverage," 11 Feb. 2018
Brexit, warning their leader, Prime Minister Theresa May, in a public letter not to cave during upcoming clinch negotiations with Brussels.

— Washington Post, "Theresa May wines and dines her Brexit ‘war cabinet’ in a bid to hash out a policy," 22 Feb. 2018
Quinonez clinches but eats a strong right hand and left hand late.

— todd martin, latimes.com, "Jose Quinonez vs. Teruto Ishihara live round-by-round coverage," 11 Feb. 2018
Two-time defending 6A champ Duncanville clinches and will go for an 11th championship at the Alamodome.

— brian gosset, star-telegram, "Three things I think, three things I know about high school sports | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 21 Feb. 2018
Formiga clinches and looks for another takedown but Nguyen defends well.

— todd martin, latimes.com, "Jussier Formiga vs. Ben Nguyen live round-by-round coverage," 11 Feb. 2018
When the Houston Astros clinch, the AL West will have crowned four of its teams as champion within the past five years.

— bill shaikin, latimes.com, "It's ridiculous that Dodgers' historic run is not seen by majority of fans," 2 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of clinch

1659

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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

Examples of clinch in a Sentence

Recent Examples of clinch from the Web

Origin and Etymology of clinch

clinch Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

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

Learn More about clinch

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