clinch

1 of 2

verb

clinched; clinching; clinches

transitive verb

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

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 adverb

clinch

2 of 2

noun

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
On July 7, after months of on-and-off negotiations, Shari Redstone’s National Amusements Inc., the controlling shareholder of Paramount Global, clinched a deal to sell NAI to Skydance-RedBird, which would then merge Paramount with Skydance. Todd Spangler, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024 Former Republican President Donald Trump clinched the election to become president once more, Republicans took control of the U.S. Senate and a key U.S. Senate race in Michigan had yet to be called by midday. Darcie Moran, Detroit Free Press, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
Taylor clinches to stop the barrage of punches from Serrano. Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2024 In the clinch, Immobile heard a whimper and felt the sobs. James Horncastle, The Athletic, 30 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for clinch 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of clinch was in 1542

Dictionary Entries Near clinch

Cite this Entry

“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clinch. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

clinch

1 of 2 verb
1
a
: to turn over or flatten the end of something sticking out
clinch a nail
b
: to fasten by clinching
2
a
: to make final : settle
the evidence clinched the case
b
: to assure the winning of
a touchdown that clinched the game

clinch

2 of 2 noun
1
: 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!