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 Philadelphia Union clinched the best record in MLS this season with a 1-0 home triumph against New York City FC.
—
Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Milwaukee then clinched a first-round bye by winning 96 games — more than any team in either league.
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The week before the finale, the Browns could have clinched a playoff spot but Anderson threw four interceptions in a 19-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
—Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Behind the immense offensive contribution of veteran guard Chelsea Gray in overtime, the Aces clinched a Finals berth against Phoenix after the Mercury toppled the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday.
—Frank Nunns O'Connell, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Rose's birdie on 18 clinched Europe's fifth point, shortly after yet another dominant victory over Jon Rahm.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
The mighty Mariners, who mashed five solo home runs at raucous T-Mobile Park, clinched their title by drubbing Major League Baseball’s doormat, aka the Colorado Rockies, 9-2.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2025
The Padres clinched the season series against the Brewers, whose 95-63 record is best in the major leagues.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2025
Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Milwaukee then clinched a first-round bye by winning 96 games — more than any team in either league.
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The week before the finale, the Browns could have clinched a playoff spot but Anderson threw four interceptions in a 19-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
—Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Behind the immense offensive contribution of veteran guard Chelsea Gray in overtime, the Aces clinched a Finals berth against Phoenix after the Mercury toppled the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday.
—Frank Nunns O'Connell, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Rose's birdie on 18 clinched Europe's fifth point, shortly after yet another dominant victory over Jon Rahm.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
The mighty Mariners, who mashed five solo home runs at raucous T-Mobile Park, clinched their title by drubbing Major League Baseball’s doormat, aka the Colorado Rockies, 9-2.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2025
The Padres clinched the season series against the Brewers, whose 95-63 record is best in the major leagues.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinched
Verb
-
Eighteen nations are already guaranteed a spot in the tournament next June and July, meaning there are 30 (yes, 30) still to be decided.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Hundreds of thousands of the paper’s readers abandoned it last year when Bezos decided not to endorse in the presidential election and to overhaul the opinion section.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Treinen got up and started throwing in the bullpen as Snell settled in to face Bryce Harper.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The lawsuit says the deputies acted without probable cause, and the case was settled with Solano County.—
Real-Time News team,
Miami Herald,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There is no update on the containment progress of the fire and its cause has yet to be determined.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Safety Julian Love is still day to day with a hamstring injury, and his availability will be determined at the end of the week, Macdonald said.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clinched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinched. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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