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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
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 See More

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

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 10 Dec. 2023.

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!