as in decided
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 clinched
The Mountain West continued play this weekend (the Aztecs clinched a berth in the MWC conference postseason tournament by beating San Jose State Friday night), but still has one more week to go.
—
Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
Georgia Tech clinched its second consecutive ACC title in fitting fashion Friday night.
—Ajc Sports, AJC.com, 16 May 2026
Thanks to quarterback Jack Plummer, the Orlando Storm (6-2) got the rushing game going Friday night and also clinched a UFL playoff spot in the process, scoring their most points of the season in a 31-24 victory at Dallas.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026
The Padres clinched the season series on Friday to secure the Vedder Cup, named after Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, who has ties to both cities.
—ABC News, 16 May 2026
Leila Devlin / Getty Images Since our last mailbag, the Pittsburgh Penguins clinched a playoff spot and were eliminated by their biggest rival, and Kyle Dubas had a rather interesting end-of-season news conference.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 15 May 2026
While the Crusaders have a regular-season finale Friday against Eastlake, Wednesday’s win clinched the league title.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
In the dream scenario for the Kansas Jayhawks baseball team, KU would have won its next-to-last Big 12 regular-season series at home last weekend and clinched the program’s first conference title since 1949.
—Gary Bedore
may 14, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
Peyton McDevitt also contributed a triple against the Celtics, who clinched at least a tie for the conference title.
—Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
Georgia Tech clinched its second consecutive ACC title in fitting fashion Friday night.
—Ajc Sports, AJC.com, 16 May 2026
Thanks to quarterback Jack Plummer, the Orlando Storm (6-2) got the rushing game going Friday night and also clinched a UFL playoff spot in the process, scoring their most points of the season in a 31-24 victory at Dallas.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026
The Padres clinched the season series on Friday to secure the Vedder Cup, named after Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, who has ties to both cities.
—ABC News, 16 May 2026
Leila Devlin / Getty Images Since our last mailbag, the Pittsburgh Penguins clinched a playoff spot and were eliminated by their biggest rival, and Kyle Dubas had a rather interesting end-of-season news conference.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 15 May 2026
While the Crusaders have a regular-season finale Friday against Eastlake, Wednesday’s win clinched the league title.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
In the dream scenario for the Kansas Jayhawks baseball team, KU would have won its next-to-last Big 12 regular-season series at home last weekend and clinched the program’s first conference title since 1949.
—Gary Bedore
may 14, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
Peyton McDevitt also contributed a triple against the Celtics, who clinched at least a tie for the conference title.
—Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinched
Verb
-
For the cover of the May 25, 2026, issue, the artist Kadir Nelson decided to paint a tribute to the city’s budding artists.—
Françoise Mouly,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Lasser decided to leave the show in 1977, signaling its end.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, sophomore pitcher Meredith Hambric settled in nicely, keeping Guyer off the scoreboard for five consecutive innings.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 May 2026
-
Perhaps, but Alonso’s attentive gaze reworks the meaning of excitement such that a banal exchange with the nearby farmhand, and a drive into the nearby village, provide minor thrills — that is, if you’re properly settled onto Alonso’s serenely sluggish wavelength.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The cause of death has not been determined, though investigators said the baby was full-term when he was found.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
-
The Sparks were determined to end a season-opening four-game homestand with their second straight win against Toronto.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clinched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinched. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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