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
Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
In February, Ariel said its Project Level fund had clinched a $250 million first close.
—Luisa Beltran, Sportico.com, 16 Mar. 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
That seems to be coming to fruition, both for Robertson and the Stars, with Dallas on the verge of clinching another playoff spot thanks in large part to the forward’s contributions.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
In February, Ariel said its Project Level fund had clinched a $250 million first close.
—Luisa Beltran, Sportico.com, 16 Mar. 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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Jenkins is on a road trip back to Yuba City and decided to grab some food.—
Carmela Karcher,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
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The club’s decision makers will meet this weekend to decide on the club’s final few roster spots, but there are still a few days left for players to make a last impression.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In a video shared by the Golf Channel on X, Young was mid-interview, trophy in hand, when one of his sons broke away and sprinted toward him for a hug.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Mar. 2026
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One of his sons started running toward him for a hug.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After the overnight speculative panic from a fortnight ago that shot oil prices across the board to nearly $120 per barrel in the early premarket trading hours of March 9, oil prices quickly settled back down to $100.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
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After admittedly chasing stats, which led to some early-season struggles, Simmons settled into the defensive end possession and blossomed into one of the SEC’s most prolific sack masters.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The visit, which aimed to strengthen economic and technological ties between the two countries, underscored a shift in Israel-India relations under Modi, whose embrace of Israel marks a departure from India’s foreign policy that has historically supported the Palestinians.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2026
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Over the course of an hour, Niontay opens up about his relationship with his family, his affinity for wordplay, and his embrace of Blackness in his music.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Future meetings are yet to be determined.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
22 Mar. 2026
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Here is a closer look at what's at stake for Netanyahu, and how the wars with Iran and Hezbollah could help determine his fate.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Uniquely massive demand for the drugs from 2022 until early 2025 allowed compounders to gain a foothold in the first place.—
CHRISTOPHER ROWLAND THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
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Old Town Pizza has spent a decade trying to secure a foothold in downtown Roseville.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The team could have stuck him and his high-octane stuff in a bullpen that has a few spots up for grabs, but the preference is for Lagrange to continue his development as a starter for now.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
22 Mar. 2026
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The Red Sox are still deciding who will round out the Opening Day bullpen, and multiple spots are up for grabs.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Know More Investors in recent days have fretted about the Paramount bid’s footing.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
23 Mar. 2026
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Florida found its footing in SEC play, culminating with an 11-game winning streak to claim the conference title.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinch. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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