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
Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
But when they’re caught in a clinch by a reporter, the two agree to pretend to be dating and be each other’s partners on the court to help save the club and Niko’s career.
—EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
In 2005, shortly after arriving in orbit around the ringed planet, the joint NASA–European Space Agency (ESA) Cassini mission found clinching evidence that Enceladus harbored a liquid-water ocean beneath its bright-white icy crust—plumes of seawater spraying up from the moon’s south pole.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clinch
Verb
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
But when they’re caught in a clinch by a reporter, the two agree to pretend to be dating and be each other’s partners on the court to help save the club and Niko’s career.
—EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
Chicago is coming off back-to-back shutout wins (3-0 over Minnesota, 2-0 over the Columbus Crew) and can clinch its first playoff berth since 2017 with a victory against Inter Miami.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
In 2005, shortly after arriving in orbit around the ringed planet, the joint NASA–European Space Agency (ESA) Cassini mission found clinching evidence that Enceladus harbored a liquid-water ocean beneath its bright-white icy crust—plumes of seawater spraying up from the moon’s south pole.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinch
Verb
-
Others believed Los Angeles should have put the deciding play in quarterback Matthew Stafford's hands.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
When seeking to prosecute someone, a state attorney can file charges against them or choose to present evidence before a grand jury, composed of citizens who then must decide whether there is probable cause to issue an indictment and move to a trial.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Kardashian included several snaps and videos with her children, Tatum, 3, and True, 7, as well as her niece Dream, 8, and nephew Saint, 9, including one of her two children giving each other a big hug and another of her mother Kris Jenner walking with her son.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
3 Oct. 2025
-
James pointed out that Tindall pulled George into a hug and kissed him on the head while the prince and his siblings were greeting well-wishers.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After just a few minutes on each arm, the soreness had noticeably decreased, and my arms looked more defined and less puffy, especially near the underarm area where water retention tends to settle.—
Francesca Krempa,
StyleCaster,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Skipping regular washes—Letting white towels sit too long between washes gives body oils, makeup, and mildew more time to settle into the fibers and stain them permanently.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies embrace at first base during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Designers crafted their own rich narratives for the season—nomadic spirit, modern prep, maximalism for minimalists, to name a few—and what tied them all together was the embrace of unique and intentional styling.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Currently, there is no information on the containment of the fire and the cause of it has yet to be determined.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Experts determined that Gaza City had slid into famine shortly before Israel launched its major offensive there aimed at occupying it.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This time around, for 45 minutes, by adopting the kind of pragmatic, solid mentality that was more regularly the trademark of his predecessor, Postecoglou at least gave his side a foothold in the game.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia has backed separatist forces in the breakaway Transnistria region, as a foothold to keep up pressure on the central government in Chișinău.—
John E. Herbst,
Time,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
With Myles Turner in Milwaukee, the center minutes are up for grabs, primarily between Jackson and Jay Huff.—
Stan Son,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Prime Big Deal Days runs now through Wednesday, October 8, with thousands of deals that are up for grabs.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But if nothing else, this new environment should give Okoro breathing room to find his footing on the other end.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
While the government shutdown has postponed official reports on the health of the jobs market, economist Mark Zandi believes nongovernment data shows that the labor market continues to be on weak footing.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinch. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share