clinch

verb

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\ ˈklinch

clinched; clinching; clinches

Definition of clinch

(Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

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

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 On the final day of the 2017 regular season, quarterback Andy Dalton -- then with the Cincinnati Bengals -- threw a 48-yard touchdown pass in the final minute to beat the Ravens and clinch Buffalo's first playoff berth in 17 years. — Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, "Buffalo Bills fans overwhelm charity with donations after Lamar Jackson's injury," 17 Jan. 2021 Despite clinching a playoff berth already, Arians said the Bucs will play to win the finale and clinch the No. 5 seed in the NFC. — Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, "Falcons vs. Buccaneers live stream (1/3): How to watch NFL Week 17 online, TV, time," 3 Jan. 2021 Bryant and Joseph are both close contacts of someone who tested positive for the virus and could be back in time for the game, in which the Browns can clinch a playoff spot with a victory. — cleveland, "Browns add Harrison Bryant, Andrew Sendejo and Karl Joseph to the COVID-19 reserve list for a total of 9 players," 29 Dec. 2020 Will the Saints be in position to clinch the top NFC seed and that coveted single bye for wild-card weekend? — Barry Wilner, Star Tribune, "On Football: Big games ahead on the NFL schedule -- maybe," 4 Dec. 2020 With his serve continuing to prove dominant, Medvedev held on to clinch his first ATP Finals title in the longest final in the event's history. — Ben Morse, CNN, "Daniil Medvedev battles from behind to win ATP Finals with victory over Dominic Thiem," 22 Nov. 2020 Sutherland won in Phoenix to clinch the season title in 2017. — John Marshall, The Arizona Republic, "Kevin Sutherland wins Charles Schwab Cup Championship on 9th playoff hole," 9 Nov. 2020 Despite Montana helping Trump clinch the White House in 2016 by backing him by more than 20 points over then-rival Hillary Clinton, Democrats perform well statewide. — Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner, "Open Montana House seat features rivals who have both sought seat before," 13 Oct. 2020 The Tide can clinch at least a share of the SEC regular-season title, which would be its first since 2002, by winning both games this week. — Mike Rodak | Mrodak@al.com, al, "Alabama rises to highest AP ranking since 2007," 15 Feb. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The Lopes clinch at least a share of the title with a split. — Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, "Grand Canyon basketball can clinch first WAC regular-season title this weekend against Utah Valley," 5 Mar. 2021 Here’s how crazy this thing is this year, Boise State and San Jose State could both clinch spots by NOT playing because both teams would then finish undefeated. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Aztecs’ chances for bowl berth, Mountain West title game — dim and dimmer," 3 Dec. 2020 Yelich, the former MVP who hit .205 this year after winning the last two NL batting titles, and the Brewers happily posed for a team picture in their playoff-clinch T-shirts on the Busch Stadium field. — Ben Walker, orlandosentinel.com, "Pandemic playoffs: Brewers, Astros in despite losing records," 28 Sep. 2020 But if Democrats win the two run-off seats in Georgia and clinch control of both the House and Senate, some economists believe that could mean a bigger deal early next year, and possibly follow-up stimulus legislation later in the year. — Anne Sraders, Fortune, "Will another $1,200 stimulus check ever come? Here’s what we know," 11 Nov. 2020 The variety of rules in other battlegrounds means a guessing game as to when either candidate might hit critical mass and clinch. — Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, "For nation on edge, uncertainty hangs over Election Night," 1 Nov. 2020 Yelich, the former MVP who hit .205 this year after winning the last two NL batting titles, and the Brewers happily posed for a team picture in their playoff-clinch T-shirts on the Busch Stadium field. — Ben Walker, orlandosentinel.com, "Pandemic playoffs: Brewers, Astros in despite losing records," 28 Sep. 2020 Yelich, the former MVP who hit .205 this year after winning the last two NL batting titles, and the Brewers happily posed for a team picture in their playoff-clinch T-shirts on the Busch Stadium field. — Ben Walker, orlandosentinel.com, "Pandemic playoffs: Brewers, Astros in despite losing records," 28 Sep. 2020 Yelich, the former MVP who hit .205 this year after winning the last two NL batting titles, and the Brewers happily posed for a team picture in their playoff-clinch T-shirts on the Busch Stadium field. — Ben Walker, orlandosentinel.com, "Pandemic playoffs: Brewers, Astros in despite losing records," 28 Sep. 2020

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.