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
That clinched the season series for the Rams, reversing a trend in which the 49ers swept the regular-season matchups from 2019-22.
—
Cam Inman, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
Markle’s video showed the prince and her friend, Kelly McKee Zajfen, watching the end of the game as the Dodgers clinched back-to-back World Series titles.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
For context, Chappell Roan clinched that trophy last year.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
The Giants clinched the National League West on the final day of the regular season in 2010 before toppling the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and Rangers.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2025
The mayoral election in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is proceeding to ranked choice voting after neither leading candidate clinched a majority of the vote on Tuesday.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 5 Nov. 2025
Macedo thought Eastlake had already clinched the win.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025
With the win, Byron Nelson (6-2, 5-1) has all but clinched a spot in the playoffs.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025
As Decision Day progressed, the goals came fast and furious, playoff berths were clinched, and home field advantage was secured.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Cam Inman, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
Markle’s video showed the prince and her friend, Kelly McKee Zajfen, watching the end of the game as the Dodgers clinched back-to-back World Series titles.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
For context, Chappell Roan clinched that trophy last year.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
The Giants clinched the National League West on the final day of the regular season in 2010 before toppling the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and Rangers.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2025
The mayoral election in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is proceeding to ranked choice voting after neither leading candidate clinched a majority of the vote on Tuesday.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 5 Nov. 2025
Macedo thought Eastlake had already clinched the win.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2025
With the win, Byron Nelson (6-2, 5-1) has all but clinched a spot in the playoffs.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025
As Decision Day progressed, the goals came fast and furious, playoff berths were clinched, and home field advantage was secured.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinched
Verb
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So last Monday, after scrolling through news of the government shutdown and with nothing else planned for the day, the couple decided to fire up their Pit Boss pellet grill and feed anyone who was hungry, no questions asked.—
Sean Clancy,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
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One such angel, however, decided to rebel against this way of life.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The case was eventually settled that year, after the two parties reached a confidential settlement, and have since mended their differences.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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Officers with the Boise Police Department will no longer be able to detain someone for loitering after the city settled a federal lawsuit for $200,000.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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There is no update on the containment progress of the fire and its cause has not yet been determined.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
11 Nov. 2025
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More recently, scientists at the hospital discovered how light can reset the body’s internal clock and determined the natural length of our daily sleep–wake cycle.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clinched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinched. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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