clinched

verb

past tense of clinch
as in decided
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute the rain clinched the matter: we would have the party indoors

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 clinched Last year’s winner, Gaypalani Wanambi, clinched the award with her artwork Burwu, blossom, which paid homage to the Marrakulu clan from which she is descended. — News Desk, Artforum, 7 Aug. 2026 Other notable winners include Meghan Markle, who clinched the honor in 2018, and Princess Diana’s twin nieces, Lady Amelia Spencer and Lady Eliza Spencer, who tied in 2021. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 31 July 2026 Affleck and Ding clinched the win on a challenging Thanksgiving trivia question. — Mason Leib, ABC News, 30 July 2026 Rogers, which operates pay-TV network Sportsnet, last year clinched an $11 billion rights deal with the NHL through the 2037-38 season. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 28 July 2026 Since the 37-year-old state senator clinched the nomination, right-wing politicians and media figures have been running a bizarre smear campaign attacking Talarico for not being manly enough. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 After finishing the regular season atop the league with a 16-9 record, Utah clinched a spot in the AUSL’s championship series for the second consecutive year. — Molly Keshin, New York Times, 25 July 2026 In June, Hilton clinched second place in California’s gubernatorial primary behind veteran Democratic politician Xavier Becerra. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026 Spain clinched their second World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Argentina, securing a record $50 million prize from FIFA. — Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinched
  1. decided
  2. settled
  3. determined
Verb
  • Their brain has already decided where the answer is most likely to be, and everything outside that expectation receives very little attention.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Bardstown Bourbon Company, which is well known for indulging its experimental impulses, decided to blend together bourbon and rye and finish it in pineapple rum barrels with pieces of pineapple added to the whiskey for good measure.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of decided
Verb
  • The firm later represented the NCAA in the consolidated House litigation that settled last year, clearing the way for schools to directly pay players.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Was there a kind of indifference — not cold, but settled — in which nothing felt particularly more significant because an end was coming?
    — Sai Rajagopal, STAT, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of settled
Verb
  • Investigators said that all the teens knew one another but have not yet determined a motive for the killings, according to DeLand Police Chief Jason Umberger.
    — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The Bankruptcy Court noted that the bankruptcy statutes do not define who is a beneficiary and that the issue would be determined by Arizona state law.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of determined

Browse Nearby Words

clinch
clinched
clincher
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Cite this Entry

“Clinched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinched. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of clinched for Spanish Speakers

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