as in ensuring
to make sure, certain, or safe
the team's latest victory cinches a trip to the play-offs
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Recent Examples of cinching
In combination with the waist-cinching belt, the lapel collar balances your figure for a flattering fit and stately appearance that can take you from work to the weekend.
—
Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
In contrast to the waist-cinching design, the aristocrat’s dramatic padded shoulders were dripping with countless black beads.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
With belt-cinching streamers straining to do more with less, sloppy vibe calibration has become a common problem.
—Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
The hood has a drawcord for cinching it tight around your face, as well as a velcro fastening that can cover your mouth.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 11 Dec. 2025
Likewise, the system for cinching the sides is a bit clunky.
—Ian Graber-Stiehl, Outside, 5 Dec. 2025
And in addition to oversized hoods, waist-cinching toggles, jacquard trims, and pom-poms, Perfect Moment’s signature North Star logo is dotted across all the styles.
—Victoria Montalti, Refinery29, 1 Dec. 2025
The silhouette featured an almond toe and stacked block heel, while the shaft made a unique statement with cinching at the ankle, a general looseness up the leg and then a lace threaded through the circumference about three-quarters of the way up, knotted in a bow as a dainty embellishment.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025
Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
In contrast to the waist-cinching design, the aristocrat’s dramatic padded shoulders were dripping with countless black beads.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 28 Jan. 2026
With belt-cinching streamers straining to do more with less, sloppy vibe calibration has become a common problem.
—Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
The hood has a drawcord for cinching it tight around your face, as well as a velcro fastening that can cover your mouth.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 11 Dec. 2025
Likewise, the system for cinching the sides is a bit clunky.
—Ian Graber-Stiehl, Outside, 5 Dec. 2025
And in addition to oversized hoods, waist-cinching toggles, jacquard trims, and pom-poms, Perfect Moment’s signature North Star logo is dotted across all the styles.
—Victoria Montalti, Refinery29, 1 Dec. 2025
The silhouette featured an almond toe and stacked block heel, while the shaft made a unique statement with cinching at the ankle, a general looseness up the leg and then a lace threaded through the circumference about three-quarters of the way up, knotted in a bow as a dainty embellishment.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cinching
Verb
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Advertisement Regardless of the format, three concerns have consistently emerged as critical to ensuring the long-term health of the domestic economy and solving the affordability problem.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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Sweetcrispy Full-length Gold Mirror No hotel room is complete without a full-length mirror, and for more than just ensuring your outfit of the day is on point.—
Brittney Morgan,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Some fears exist among the British right that Reform’s success could still be squashed by an alliance of Labour, the Green Party, the Lib Dems, and a confederation of minor parties if a pact is not struck with the Conservatives, assuring a unified right-wing bloc.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Jan. 2026
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Bowe, who still holds the world record in the 1,000 m and also qualified in the 1,500 m for Beijing, decided to give up her 500-m spot, assuring Jackson would race at the Olympics.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The impasse is virtually guaranteeing another shutdown of potentially broad swaths of the federal government on the heels of last year's record-breaking crisis.—
Lori Comstock,
The Providence Journal,
29 Jan. 2026
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There is another circular element to the deal where Nvidia's investment essentially helps fund purchases of its own products, while simultaneously guaranteeing to be a customer.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Just months ago, several Democrats backed down and ended a record 43-day government shutdown over healthcare funding without securing their core demand.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
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This includes cultivating ties with national leaders, engaging local officials such as customs and immigration officers and securing contracts through regional development banks in order to place Chinese companies and personnel on the ground.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cinching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cinching. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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