clinched

verb

past tense of clinch
as in decided
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute the rain clinched the matter: we would have the party indoors

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 In the real world, the Angels clinched their 11th consecutive losing season before the calendar turned to September. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Shelton has clinched four titles alone in 2026, and seven in total across his burgeoning career, having gone pro in 2022. — Nick Remsen, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026 So, who wowed the judges, floored the crowd and clinched the final, coveted sash? — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 Howell had one more chance to rally the Cowboys and picked up another first down before four consecutive incompletions clinched the win for the Saints in the final minute. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 The loss put the Liberty, who have already clinched a postseason berth, in the 8th spot. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026 David Hamilton, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell and Christian Yelich had RBI singles for the major league-leading Brewers (82-50), who clinched their sixth straight winning season and ninth in the last 10 years. — CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 The Sparks, who are coming off a 78-71 home loss to Atlanta on Monday, have the unique opportunity to host a team that has already clinched one of the league’s eight playoff berths and will be playing on the second night of back-to-back games. — John Davis, Daily News, 27 Aug. 2026 Leeds were in the Championship and bearing down on a 100-point tally, which clinched the 2024-25 title. — Beren Cross, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinched
  1. decided
  2. settled
  3. determined
Verb
  • Leading the way in court There are dozens of cases across the country surrounding the legal status of prediction sites, and experts believe the matter will eventually be decided by the Supreme Court.
    — Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • For decades, an attacker discovered a vulnerability, a security tool generated an alert, an analyst investigated it, the issue was escalated and eventually someone decided what to do.
    — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of decided
Verb
  • Step 4 Give batter a good stir, scraping bottom of blender jar to reincorporate any flour that has settled.
    — Julia Sherman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • For years, the SEC and CFTC had not settled that question clearly enough for the market to move with confidence, creating friction when there was none to begin with.
    — Manny Khan, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of settled
Verb
  • That warrant was later recalled after a Court of Appeals judge determined the former governor had filed to have Johnson removed from the case before her warrant was issued.
    — Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Whether employees receive the day off — and whether they are paid extra for it — is typically determined by their employer’s policies or an employment agreement.
    — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of determined

Browse Nearby Words

clinch
clinched
clincher
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Cite this Entry

“Clinched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinched. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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