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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clinch
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
The picture is Triet’s first feature since her 2023 Cannes Palme d’Or-winning psychological thriller Anatomy of a Fall, which went on to enjoy a major awards-season run, garnering its star Sandra Hüller a Best Actress Academy Award nomination and clinching an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 27 Jan. 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
Derrick White committed a career-high eight turnovers but clinched the win with a 3-pointer and a steal in the final minutes.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
The picture is Triet’s first feature since her 2023 Cannes Palme d’Or-winning psychological thriller Anatomy of a Fall, which went on to enjoy a major awards-season run, garnering its star Sandra Hüller a Best Actress Academy Award nomination and clinching an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 27 Jan. 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
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Most recently, in 1995, voters there only narrowly decided to remain.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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Her parents pay for her apartment in a Brooklyn brownstone, and her biggest inconvenience seems to be that her sister has decided to live there, too — in the spare bedroom that’s not even in use.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Yong Woo cuts her off with a hug, thanking her for hesitating because of him, and the two walk on into a slo-mo sequence, laughing about Ji Seon’s Busan dialect.—
Hannah Abraham,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Recently, a stranger—who became an acquaintance over the course of a few hours—held my hug significantly longer than what’s customary upon parting ways.—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Brent crude futures settled above $70.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
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Russia's advance in Ukraine has largely settled into a grinding war of attrition, and analysts say that Russian President Vladimir Putin is in no rush to find a settlement, despite his army's difficulties on the roughly 600-mile front line.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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O’Hara launched her extraordinary career as one of the ensemble members of the star-making cast of SCTV before gaining acclaim in such films as Beetlejuice, Home Alone, A Mighty Wind and, in a full-circle embrace of her TV roots that earned her an Emmy Award, Schitt’s Creek.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
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In that time braids have adapted to be many things—evidence of tribal affiliation and a map to communicate the journey to freedom, and, more recently, an embrace of Blackness and a ready-to-wear protective style.—
Ambreia Meadows-Fernandez,
Parents,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Once on scene, deputies quickly determined the animal was injured.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
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Transportation will determine whether White Stadium functions as a community asset or becomes a recurring source of congestion, neighborhood disruption, and political backlash.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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So the company will bring its core Citizens collection to the Chicago Collective in hopes of increasing its foothold among the specialty store community.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
30 Jan. 2026
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The talks also were expected to focus on the future of Russian military bases in Syria, a key foothold for Moscow in the Mediterranean.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The deal is regarded as significant as Iglesias’ comedy catalogue was one of the most high-profile still up for grabs on the marketplace.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
7 Jan. 2026
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Wilson recorded 61 catches and a team-high six scores in 2023 as a true freshman, but managed just 19 grabs and one score after a hip injury ended his 2024 season.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Playing on a Rockets team with playoff aspirations, Sheppard struggled to find his footing and earn a rotation spot from head coach Ime Udoka.—
Rahat Huq,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Despite these fears, Starmer’s Labour government came to power with a pledge to put UK relations with China on a firmer footing.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinch. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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