clinches; clinched; clinching
1
a
: to make (something) certain or final
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.
b
: to make certain the winning of (something)
If they win tonight's game they'll clinch the pennant.
2
: to hold each other closely during a fight
The boxers clinched.
plural clinches
: a position in which two people (such as two boxers) are holding each other very closely
The referee told the boxers to break their clinch.
The movie ended with the hero and heroine locked in a passionate clinch. [=(more commonly) embrace]
Cite this Entry
“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/clinch. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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