as in to decide
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute
the rain clinched the matter: we would have the party indoors
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Recent Examples of clinch
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025
San Diego then rallied, beating the Utah Royals and Chicago Stars to clinch a playoff spot.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025
Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Pictured below, director/actor/executive producer Jason Bateman and his co-star Jude Law are in the clinch of a classic big-time Hollywood-leading-man wattage-throwdown.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clinch
Verb
After a dominant win over Oklahoma State on Saturday, the Kansas Jayhawks (5-4, 3-3 Big 12) will attempt to clinch bowl eligibility with a win against Arizona on Saturday.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025
San Diego then rallied, beating the Utah Royals and Chicago Stars to clinch a playoff spot.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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
Pictured below, director/actor/executive producer Jason Bateman and his co-star Jude Law are in the clinch of a classic big-time Hollywood-leading-man wattage-throwdown.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinch
Verb
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Last year, the new group of commissioners decided to bring back Nadine Jarmon as the housing authority's executive director.—
Joseph Flaherty,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
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El Dorado County voters also decided three Zone of Benefit tax measures on Tuesday.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The greeting surprised many internet users, according to a flurry of viral posts on social media that analyzed their hand placements and debated whether the hug was appropriate for the situation, given Erika's recent loss.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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Aesha gives her a big hug and finds the headband in no time.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Hoover was much better in the second quarter and led TCU into the red zone, but the Horned Frogs had to settle for a 35-yard Nate McCashland field goal.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
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Soika, a surgeon, unsuccessfully tried to book a rental car to get to Utah for a weekend trip before settling on an option that seemed straight out of Hollywood.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Bonus points for a welcoming embrace of tobacco smoke around the premises, even if it's been years since anyone (legally) smoked inside.—
Bradley Hohulin,
IndyStar,
7 Nov. 2025
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The actresses shared a warm embrace at the end that really hit a high note.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Someone who is unable to work in mainstream punditry because his face no longer fits, but is determined to raise standards among those who do as an outside agitator.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Pay attention to frost dates, rainfall, and snow levels to determine when to mulch and how deeply.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Basque chef Karlos Arguiñano and his family have a historical foothold here, with a hotel on the beach and multiple restaurants.—
Michelle Arellano Martin,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
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For Japanese people, as for immigrants from other nations, land was a foothold on the American dream.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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There are assorted grab-and-go options throughout the stadium as well.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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What to watch in Detroit City Council Along with a heated mayor's race, there are two open districts seats and two at-large seats up for grabs on the Detroit City Council.—
Tanya Wildt,
Freep.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Gap appears to be on firmer footing.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
4 Nov. 2025
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For players like Bryson DeChambeau, the change is a long-overdue step toward equal footing on golf’s biggest stages.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinch. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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