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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clinch
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
The picture is Triet’s first feature since her 2023 Cannes Palme d’Or-winning psychological thriller Anatomy of a Fall, which went on to enjoy a major awards-season run, garnering its star Sandra Hüller a Best Actress Academy Award nomination and clinching an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 27 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
Derrick White committed a career-high eight turnovers but clinched the win with a 3-pointer and a steal in the final minutes.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
The picture is Triet’s first feature since her 2023 Cannes Palme d’Or-winning psychological thriller Anatomy of a Fall, which went on to enjoy a major awards-season run, garnering its star Sandra Hüller a Best Actress Academy Award nomination and clinching an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 27 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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Most recently, in 1995, voters there only narrowly decided to remain.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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Her parents pay for her apartment in a Brooklyn brownstone, and her biggest inconvenience seems to be that her sister has decided to live there, too — in the spare bedroom that’s not even in use.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Yong Woo cuts her off with a hug, thanking her for hesitating because of him, and the two walk on into a slo-mo sequence, laughing about Ji Seon’s Busan dialect.—
Hannah Abraham,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Recently, a stranger—who became an acquaintance over the course of a few hours—held my hug significantly longer than what’s customary upon parting ways.—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Brent crude futures settled above $70.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
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Russia's advance in Ukraine has largely settled into a grinding war of attrition, and analysts say that Russian President Vladimir Putin is in no rush to find a settlement, despite his army's difficulties on the roughly 600-mile front line.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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O’Hara launched her extraordinary career as one of the ensemble members of the star-making cast of SCTV before gaining acclaim in such films as Beetlejuice, Home Alone, A Mighty Wind and, in a full-circle embrace of her TV roots that earned her an Emmy Award, Schitt’s Creek.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
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In that time braids have adapted to be many things—evidence of tribal affiliation and a map to communicate the journey to freedom, and, more recently, an embrace of Blackness and a ready-to-wear protective style.—
Ambreia Meadows-Fernandez,
Parents,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The process to adopt a child from foster care includes training, interviews, and home visits to determine if adoption is right for you.—
MARE Staff,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
-
The Blues challenged the goal for offside, but a video review determined that the Kings remained onside.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Chevron, however, is there for the long haul, and other firms with a foothold in the Orinoco, such as Eni, Repsol, and TotalEnergies, along with oil-services giants like SLB (former Schlumberger) and Halliburton seem interested.—
Scott Montgomery,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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Even if a party besides the junta’s proxy party, the Union Solidarity & Development Party, gains a foothold in the election, the military is already guaranteed a quarter of the seats in both houses of parliament under the 2008 constitution.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
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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Playing on a Rockets team with playoff aspirations, Sheppard struggled to find his footing and earn a rotation spot from head coach Ime Udoka.—
Rahat Huq,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Despite these fears, Starmer’s Labour government came to power with a pledge to put UK relations with China on a firmer footing.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinch. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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