clinch 1 of 2

verb

ˈklinch How to pronounce clinch (audio)
Definition of clinchnext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clinch

2 of 2

noun

as in hug

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Dissimilar Words

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
Verb
But Davis has defeated Republican Laurie Buckhout in the district to clinch another term, the AP has called. — Connor Greene, Time, 8 Nov. 2026 In the fourth quarter, the Chiefs were up eleven points, and Jackson raced along the right edge and into the end zone, clinching the last leg of the parlay. — New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2026
Noun
The second the fight began, Rousey exploded forward, secured a clinch, executed a textbook judo takedown, and immediately transitioned into her trademark armbar before Carano could settle into the fight. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026 Pocket exchanges, dirty boxing in the clinch and consistent pressure to the body added up faster than Diaz's volume could compensate for, and a cut over Diaz's right eye opened up early in Round 1. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for clinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinch
  1. decide
  2. hug
  3. settle
  4. embrace
  5. determine
  6. foothold
  7. grab
  8. footing
Verb
  • On a larger scale, the Sentinel’s former executive editor and her husband, Julie and Lars Anderson, decided to fund an entire investigative team this year.
    — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Nov. 2026
  • So Hudson then, curiously, sued in a lower court to block the release, notwithstanding that a majority of the justices already decided the issue.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of decide
Noun
  • There’s a lot of mascots over there at Fox News who need a hug right now.
    — Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The couple shared a hug and a kiss before Lydia offered her husband some encouragement before the first start of his career.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of hug
Verb
  • The company said unloading cycles eventually settled at 170 to 210 seconds.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Keep in mind that no ranking can settle which state is most beautiful—they’re all worthy of a visit.
    — Stefanie Waldek, Architectural Digest, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of settle
Noun
  • There was an emotional embrace between Javits's father and students at the school who spoke about their late friend, and gave a message to his killers.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Some progressive members of the Illinois delegation pushed back on the notion that the results of the midterms were more of a rejection of Trump than an embrace of Democrats and their policies.
    — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of embrace
Verb
  • The model also improved its ability to determine the direction of a variant’s effect on gene activity.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Public voting accounts for 10% of the final decision, with a selection panel determining the winner.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of determine
Noun
  • Going forward, Budd’s race will be one of the most expensive in 2028 and will be a test of whether Democrats can expand their foothold in the South after winning seats in South Carolina and possibly Mississippi.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The company got a foothold in Connecticut when a franchisee rebranded four World Gym locations in Connecticut in 2003.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of foothold
Noun
  • Outside of his 195-yard performance, the receivers combined for 76 yards, including Flournoy’s 46-yard grab on the final drive.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Nov. 2026
  • But Notre Dame's Luke Talich — who had an interception in the third quarter — knocked the ball away, with officials ruling that Lofton hadn't completed the grab.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of grab
Noun
  • As such, Monterrey is both an expansion and a new beginning as Kappa looks to find its footing in a foreign market, a premise Mazzoleni seems at ease about.
    — Katie Bain, Billboard, 13 Nov. 2026
  • But so far, in the latest example of college football’s twisting nature, Kentucky has found its footing in a way Florida has not.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of footing

Browse Nearby Words

climes
clinch
clinched
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Cite this Entry

“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinch. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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