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
There’s a steady hum of excitement in New York City, where the Knicks clinched the NBA championship this past summer. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 Mendonça Filho was at Marrakech last year while on the awards trail with The Secret Agent, which won best director in Cannes and then went on to clinch two Golden Globes and four Oscar nominations. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 19 Oct. 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
  • Trials in four other cases in which Sorrells’ predecessor, Sharen Wilson, decided to seek the death penalty, have occurred during Sorrells term.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The next auto race will be decided by which country can excel at both.
    — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of decide
Noun
  • The performance ended with an excited full-force hug and both women jumping up and down excitedly as all four coaches gave them props.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Then, Mirabela Lacatusu would allegedly get out of the vehicle to thank the resident for their act of kindness with a hug.
    — Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of hug
Verb
  • He was educated at Middlebury College, and lived in New York City for 15 years, before settling back on the farm with his wife, Olga, and their children, Fiona and Abraham.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Remember, parents with kids this age are also the ones that are still living with their mom and dad, have to have coloring books and fidget toys at work to settle their nerves and focus and flat out refuse to grow up.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of settle
Noun
  • Celine’s Michael Rider leads a pack of creatives who seek spontaneous styling, embrace imperfection, and refuse to be bound by rules.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, his consistent embrace of Daoism is quiet and surfaces through subtle actions instead.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of embrace
Verb
  • The Kern County Coroner’s office will determine his cause of death, Hardy said.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The spacecraft is expected to land near the Moon’s south pole, where the computer will undergo tests to determine whether advanced computing systems can operate reliably in the lunar environment.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of determine
Noun
  • By 1862, the Confederates’ largest city had already returned to United States control, and America’s armies already held footholds in every single Confederate state.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Wealthy foreigners put hundreds of thousands of dollars into real estate or businesses, and governments gave them a foothold abroad.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of foothold
Noun
  • The five seats up for grabs on the Fulton Commission include the northern District 1 spot, where incumbent Republican Bridget Thorne is embroiled in a rematch with Democrat Maggie Goldman.
    — Reed Williams, AJC.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • At Compass Rose, the hotel’s grab-and-go counter for Cuban-style coffee and pastries, look for the hotel’s original 1939 green-glass front desk, where I was told there’s photographic evidence of Miami Vice’s Don Johnson leaning against it.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of grab
Noun
  • Next week will bring major risks for a stock market that's trying to find its footing as the AI trade continues to stumble, with several megacap earnings, a Federal Reserve meeting and a key inflation report in store.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Chiefs have beaten a Denver Broncos team that was still finding its footing, the 2-4 Indianapolis Colts, the winless Miami Dolphins, a respectable Raiders squad and the 0-6 Chargers.
    — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 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 25 Oct. 2026.

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