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
Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 8 Jan. 2026
Coker produced 33 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games, as the Panthers clinched their first NFC South title since 2015.
—Mike Kaye
updated January 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 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
The win capped an 11-1 regular season for the Rebels and effectively clinched a berth in the College Football Playoff.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 8 Jan. 2026
Coker produced 33 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games, as the Panthers clinched their first NFC South title since 2015.
—Mike Kaye
updated January 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 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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This past Christmas, as a meaningful and nostalgic compromise, the McAlarneys and a group of other parents from their daughter Maddie's second-grade class all decided to get their children Tin Can landline phones for Christmas.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
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Shanahan and Fangio are considered some of the best offensive and defensive play callers in the sport, and the matchup could decide who moves on to the divisional round.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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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An alternative might be to deviate even further from his identity, embrace offense, increase the pace and the deployment of small-ball units.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Almost 55 years since Southwest’s first flight took off from Dallas Love Field, its CEO has abandoned its distinctive embrace of open seating, single-class cabins and letting customers check two bags for free.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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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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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An intentional big-footing on the part of Live Nation and the stadium?—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
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Both landed intact but both also tipped over in the uneven lunar footing.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinch. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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