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
In a remarkable 94–90 victory against the San Antonio Spurs, the Knicks clinched their first title win since 1973, ending a 53-year drought and bringing joy to millions across the city.
—
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 14 June 2026
While the Knicks clinched the title some 1,800 miles away, the city held watch limited-capacity parties outside of the Garden, at Wollman Rink in Central Park and at Radio City Music Hall.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026
Though Porgy and Bess didn’t pan out, Spielberg further explored stage-to-screen adaptations with 2021’s West Side Story, which garnered seven Oscar nominations and clinched one for Supporting Actress for Ariana DeBose.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 14 June 2026
Dolan shouted on stage after Saturday night’s 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 clinched the title.
—Hank Tucker, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Coming off a win in Friday’s nail-biter, Brasher and Cruz clinched a 15-10 win in set one off a late surge, finishing on a 6-1 run.
—Ava Dicecca, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2026
Euphoric shrieks filled the Harbor of the East River as soon as the Knicks clinched.
—Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 14 June 2026
The Sooners clinched their CWS appearance by defeating the Kansas Jayhawks twice in the Lawrence Super Regional.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
When the Knicks clinched the championship in Game 5 of the 1973 NBA Finals, tickets sold for as little as $7.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 14 June 2026
While the Knicks clinched the title some 1,800 miles away, the city held watch limited-capacity parties outside of the Garden, at Wollman Rink in Central Park and at Radio City Music Hall.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026
Though Porgy and Bess didn’t pan out, Spielberg further explored stage-to-screen adaptations with 2021’s West Side Story, which garnered seven Oscar nominations and clinched one for Supporting Actress for Ariana DeBose.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 14 June 2026
Dolan shouted on stage after Saturday night’s 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 clinched the title.
—Hank Tucker, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Coming off a win in Friday’s nail-biter, Brasher and Cruz clinched a 15-10 win in set one off a late surge, finishing on a 6-1 run.
—Ava Dicecca, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2026
Euphoric shrieks filled the Harbor of the East River as soon as the Knicks clinched.
—Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 14 June 2026
The Sooners clinched their CWS appearance by defeating the Kansas Jayhawks twice in the Lawrence Super Regional.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
When the Knicks clinched the championship in Game 5 of the 1973 NBA Finals, tickets sold for as little as $7.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinched
Verb
-
But with a growing awareness of the mental health risks posed by children spending too much time online, Starmer has decided to go further after speaking to parents and considering evidence from Australia, which brought in a ban for under-16s last year.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
-
Then, in early 2026, after ticket sales dropped sharply, the board decided to close the center for about two years for major renovations.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Framed in native lenga wood, the rustic-chic cabins at Alto Castillo feature Mapuche textiles, wicker Chimbarongo baskets, and paintings honoring the gauchos who first settled these lands.—
Mark Johanson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 June 2026
-
One of the officials told reporters a deal is possible, but unlikely to be settled on at the summit.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill has been determined to avoid offsetting the costs on to taxpayers, and unsuccessfully called for FIFA to help share the cost burden, and Mamdani sympathizes with her position.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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Investigators determined that Teahan had supplied Windham with the fentanyl that caused his death.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clinched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinched. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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