clinch

1 of 2

verb

ˈklinch 

clinched; clinching; clinches

transitive verb

1

: clench sense 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

ˈklin-chiŋ-lē 

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

: embrace

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

The Rams have clinched back-to-back playoff appearances under this current core and were 22 yards away from scoring the game-clinching touchdown against the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. —Dj Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Massimo wants to be thrilled at finally clinching a win. —Caroline Framke, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025

Noun

Enter, the clinch cover: book jackets featuring a couple in a passionate embrace. —Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 1 Aug. 2024

There follows a rewind which zooms in on the signs of abuse: smartphone messages read during a romantic clinch, stalking disguised as concern, jealousy, emotional manipulation and love bombing geared to isolate the protagonist from her support group. —Stephanie Hirschmiller, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for clinch

• cinch
• finch
• flinch
• inch
• lynch
• pinch
• synch
• winch
• bullfinch
• goldfinch

Kids Definition

clinch

1 of 2 verb

ˈklinch 

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

ˈklinch 

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