clinch

verb

\ ˈklinch

clinched; clinching; clinches

Definition of clinch

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : clench sense 3

2a : 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

3a : 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

clinch

noun

Definition of clinch (Entry 2 of 3)

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

Clinch

geographical name

\ ˈklinch

Definition of Clinch (Entry 3 of 3)

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

Other Words from clinch Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about clinch

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Synonyms for clinch

Synonyms: Verb

decide, determine, nail, settle

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: Verb

And the Vikings play the Bears, who have already clinched the NFC North and only have an outside shot to gain a first-round bye with a win. — Andrew Beaton, WSJ, "Saint Nick Foles Is Here to Save the Eagles. Again.," 28 Dec. 2018 Despite structural disadvantages of gerrymandered congressional districts favoring Republicans, Democrats have so far clinched 226 seats in the House. — Ella Nilsen, Vox, "Why Nancy Pelosi is still confident she’ll become House speaker," 9 Nov. 2018 Busch and Brad Keselowski have already clinched spots in the next round of the playoff by winning the first two playoff races, and Truex joined them on points by winning the first two stages. — Fox News, "Kyle Busch wins NASCAR Richmond race from the back of the pack," 24 Sep. 2018 Both teams have clinched a spot in the round of 16, and the last game will determine which wins the group. — Ben Ladner, SI.com, "World Cup 2018: Advancing Scenarios For Each Group," 24 June 2018 The Stars would have clinched the Florida Premier League playoffs on a season ending time limit technicality but insisted on finishing the season on the field. — Emmett Hall, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Plantation Stars 13-under travel baseball squad enjoys resurgent year," 3 June 2018 In fact, the Knights and Capitals have both clinched all three series wins on the road. — Sam Carchidi, Philly.com, "Vegas - Vegas! - and Capitals are ready for improbable Stanley Cup Finals," 28 May 2018 For the past two years, Brittne Thomas has clinched the North Texas High School Rodeo Association’s girls’ all-around title. — Brett Hoffman, star-telegram, "Focus, hard work help Alvarado junior clinch girls high school rodeo title | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 20 May 2018 The Panthers have also clinched a berth in the C-USA postseason tournament, which starts May 23 in Biloxi, Mississippi. — Walter Villa, miamiherald, "This FIU Panthers second baseman has found his power stroke at the right time | Miami Herald," 14 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Grigoryan kept his clinch, though, and another throw took it back to the ground. — Grant Gordon, latimes.com, "First-round wins by Glendale’s Shahbazyan, Grigoryan highlight ‘Burbank Beatdown’," 22 Apr. 2018 The show keeps staggering toward a romantic clinch, then realizing that loving Elfo would be like returning to the nursery. — Noah Berlatsky, The Verge, "Netflix’s Disenchantment suggests the messy future of princess stories," 22 Aug. 2018 Nguyen is more active with strikes in the clinch, landing knees and punches. — Todd Martin, latimes.com, "Jussier Formiga vs. Ben Nguyen live round-by-round coverage," 11 Feb. 2018 Breathing heavily to start the third, Punk came forward and immediately moved into the clinch. — John Morgan, USA TODAY, "CM Punk falls to Mike Jackson via decision at UFC 225," 9 June 2018 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

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.