as in to decide
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute
the rain clinched the matter: we would have the party indoors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of clinch
Kristina Banahan, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
Montreal has the opportunity to clinch the Walter Cup in Wednesday night’s Game 4, or a winner-take-all Game 5 will be played Saturday if Ottawa ties the series.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers watched the Philadelphia Phillies clinch the National League East title on their home diamond after losing Monday's matchup in a back-and-forth duel.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clinch
Verb
Longtime Plymouth North head baseball coach Dwayne Follette secured his 500th career victory in a 2-0 win over Marshfield, which also clinched the Patriot League title for the Blue Eagles.
—Kristina Banahan, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
Montreal has the opportunity to clinch the Walter Cup in Wednesday night’s Game 4, or a winner-take-all Game 5 will be played Saturday if Ottawa ties the series.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026
Noun
The Padres will at some point clinch a playoff berth, perhaps as soon as tomorrow.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers watched the Philadelphia Phillies clinch the National League East title on their home diamond after losing Monday's matchup in a back-and-forth duel.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinch
Verb
-
The hospital decides not to airlift Roberta (Paola Núñez), who quickly becomes an emergency case when Camille (Natalie Zea) determines that her aneurysm has ruptured.—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 May 2026
-
November 22 – December 21 A practical detail around money, access, or trust may decide whether a serious conversation gets easier or stranger.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman — who played two of the characters in Independence Day — were seen sharing a hug and a laugh at the Dior 2027 Cruise Collection Show held at LACMA on May 13, 2026, in Los Angeles.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
As the family is photographed, several Aces members come in and pause for a brief hug and coo before ducking quickly out of frame.—
Jade Chang,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Check the facts, ask one clarifying question, and let real information settle your nervous system.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
-
In a social media era rife with mouthwatering food content, kids will no longer settle for a drab school meal.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Colbert put his finger on the emerging embrace of alternative truths and conspiracy theories, a pick-your-facts hostility to experts and professionals of every kind.—
Joy Press,
Vanity Fair,
22 May 2026
-
Bobby Moynihan and Kenan Thompson embrace for a photo at the opening night of Celebrity Autobiography on Broadway in New York City on May 18.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
21 May 2026
Verb
-
This time, the director was determined not to cut corners, to make a film as maximalist as his imagination.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
The choice is vast, yet experienced brokers are quick to point out that specifications alone rarely determine a successful charter.—
Rachel Ingram,
Robb Report,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Several Chinese brands are starting to get a foothold overseas.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
-
At the commissioner’s court meeting, area residents universally condemned the idea, variously calling it a Trojan horse, a foothold, a wasp’s nest, and a bribe.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The in-game score is composed separately by The Flight, but the Del Rey title track is the headline grab.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
The Ring of Honor Women’s World Championship was up for grabs in a Survival of the Fittest six-way match.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
The Federal Aviation Administration’s latest plan to get the air traffic control workforce on better footing makes some important advances.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
19 May 2026
-
If rust was a concern, then teams returning from an extended break should struggle—particularly in Game 1s, before regaining their footing—but that’s not the case.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinch. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
