clinch 1 of 2

verb

ˈklinch How to pronounce clinch (audio)
Definition of clinchnext
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

clinch

2 of 2

noun

as in hug

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
Verb
Just two minutes later, Bellingham finally got his goal to clinch England going home with a bronze medal, the country’s best World Cup result in 60 years. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 18 July 2026 His insight was surely the chief factor at work in his most meaningful assist of the tournament, which clinched the 2–1 semifinal victory over England. — Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026
Noun
By virtue of their relative scarcity—there have been eight empty-the-tank outings since the century began—every Game 7 is an unqualified treat, but the Dodgers’ clinch was one for the ages. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Nov. 2025 Schneider will hand the ball from reliever to reliever hoping to tight-walk to a road clinch. — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinch
  1. decide
  2. hug
  3. settle
  4. embrace
  5. determine
  6. foothold
  7. grab
  8. footing
Verb
  • Sebastian Reader, a 28-year-old from London, has long been fascinated by American culture and decided to make a three-month trip out of the World Cup.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
  • During that time, board members toured multiple potential locations before ultimately deciding not to include one in the final plan.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Definition of decide
Noun
  • The single-leg squat to knee hug and lunge targets single-leg stability, single-leg glute and hamstring activation and stability in a split-squat lunge.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Finally, Galecki’s third snapshot captured him and Cuoco sharing a hug during their final scene together.
    — Katie Mannion, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Definition of hug
Verb
  • The idea that his legacy should hinge on the outcome of one game — let alone a game settled on a penalty shootout — was the 1,003rd game of his career for club and country.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • The alum attaches itself to pollutants, including algae, and creates a snowlike mixture that settles to the bottom of the facility’s pond.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
Definition of settle
Noun
  • This embrace of more familiar forms hardly feels like a cop-out.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 22 July 2026
  • Tesla’s improving sales this year mark a big turnaround from a year ago, when many Europeans refused to buy the company’s cars because of Musk’s embrace of far-right political candidates in elections there.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
Definition of embrace
Verb
  • The sculptures were among 34 Southeast Asian antiquities voluntarily relinquished by the collector in 2021 after investigators determined they had been looted.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • The case also determined that the neighbor has the right to trim any greenery that encroaches onto their property.
    — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
Definition of determine
Noun
  • Using that composure to gain a foothold and feed Messi consistently in dangerous areas between the lines will be key to their chances.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • The model gives entrepreneurs a proof-of-concept foothold, a chance to operate in the core before committing to a lease.
    — Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of foothold
Noun
  • Accessibility The restaurant, bar, pool, and ground floor rooms (with grab bars in the bathrooms) are all fully accessible by wheelchair.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026
  • There are also grab-and-go options available as well as a small menu of sandwiches and salads.
    — Connie Ogle July 17, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
Definition of grab
Noun
  • What matters is understanding your role in the wider ecosystem once your business has found its footing.
    — Nick Rogers, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • The nonprofit that runs the convention is on firmer financial footing this year.
    — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2026
Definition of footing

Browse Nearby Words

climes
clinch
clinched
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinch. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on clinch

Nglish: Translation of clinch for Spanish Speakers

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All