as in decided
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute
the rain clinched the matter: we would have the party indoors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
When Uong was introduced to another local partner, Chris Prasad, who owns six bars including the Beach on Bourbon Street, the deal was clinched.
—
Beth D'addono, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
Kansas punted and Mizzou clinched its victory when running back Jamal Roberts found room on the outside and broke free for a 63-yard rushing touchdown.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Minutes later, Gramatica capped the drive and clinched the victory.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
The Army barely clinched its recruiting goal of 55,000 in the last fiscal year.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
For the first time in league history, an expansion team is set to compete in the playoffs, as the Valkyries clinched a playoff berth with their 84-80 victory over the Dallas Wings on Thursday night.
—Ben Pickman, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
The 2024 Breeders’ Cup wasn’t the only bad memory for Pletcher and Repole in between Fierceness’ career high points, which include the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile victory at Santa Anita that clinched the 2-year-old championship and last year’s Travers Stakes win at Saratoga.
—Kevin Modesti, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Kay Vanderpool, a sophomore from Fort Worth, clinched the crown, while senior Herman Young of Woodville was voted foreman.
—Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2025
The Minnesota Lynx have already clinched a playoff spot, while the Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, and Dallas Wings have already been officially eliminated from postseason contention.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Beth D'addono, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
Kansas punted and Mizzou clinched its victory when running back Jamal Roberts found room on the outside and broke free for a 63-yard rushing touchdown.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Minutes later, Gramatica capped the drive and clinched the victory.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
The Army barely clinched its recruiting goal of 55,000 in the last fiscal year.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
For the first time in league history, an expansion team is set to compete in the playoffs, as the Valkyries clinched a playoff berth with their 84-80 victory over the Dallas Wings on Thursday night.
—Ben Pickman, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
The 2024 Breeders’ Cup wasn’t the only bad memory for Pletcher and Repole in between Fierceness’ career high points, which include the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile victory at Santa Anita that clinched the 2-year-old championship and last year’s Travers Stakes win at Saratoga.
—Kevin Modesti, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Kay Vanderpool, a sophomore from Fort Worth, clinched the crown, while senior Herman Young of Woodville was voted foreman.
—Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2025
The Minnesota Lynx have already clinched a playoff spot, while the Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, and Dallas Wings have already been officially eliminated from postseason contention.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinched
Verb
-
After coming in as an engineer, Dell'Anno decided to fully immerse himself in the culinary world.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The board placed the task of arts grants distribution into the hands of the Parks and Culture Committee and decided to transition its distribution formula to one that divided the total pot of arts funding allocated in the county budget equally among all qualified groups, Tarantino said.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
More than just a coffee shop, Refuge has a workforce-development program to help newcomers get settled, connect with people, and learn skills to assist them in building new lives.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Collective grading isn’t fair yet considering the teams have faced unbalanced competition, but two games provide a window into how each passer has settled into the season.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Older Americans clearly need protection, and Tejasvi was determined to provide it.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Tylee's remains were dismembered and so badly burned that her cause of death couldn't be determined, according to Business Insider.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clinched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinched. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share