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

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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 The Dodgers’ come-from-behind win in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series clinched a series victory over the Yankees and produced the prevailing image of Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and their teammates reveling on the Yankee Stadium diamond. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026 Spain clinched a berth to the final Tuesday by smothering France 2-0 at AT&T Stadium, running its unbeaten streak to 37 games while eliminating a team that had run roughshod through the tournament. — Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026 The Yankees lost that first game, and a week later, the Marlins clinched the title in the Bronx. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 13 July 2026 But League One regional rival clinched the group title and a quarterfinal berth by beating the Oakland Roots 3-1 earlier Saturday. — Idaho Statesman, 12 July 2026 The royal siblings were animated fans in the stands and erupted in cheers when Carlos Alcaraz of Spain clinched the win. — Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 12 July 2026 After the Red Sox clinched the ALCS and advanced to the World Series, Damon said he was supposed to continue filming overseas until producer George Clooney stepped in. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2026 Gabriel Arias had three hits for the Guardians, who clinched the series after winning the opener 3-2 on Friday. — ABC News, 11 July 2026 The blue-chip index has clinched 19 record highs this year; seven of them came in June. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinched
  1. decided
  2. settled
  3. determined
Verb
  • After more than an hour sheltering from the rain in the Ronald Reagan Building, Nadine Szewczyk, 67, decided to head back to her hotel.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • The suit last week is another sign that the utilities have decided to push back against criticism.
    — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026
Definition of decided
Verb
  • Global crude prices settled as high as $114 a barrel in May, as strikes in the Middle East and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz choked off supplies from the Gulf.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • But everybody settled in, with time to do so thanks to the league’s return to an untimed format.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of settled
Verb
  • This summer has been challenging, yet Newcastle are adamant that their 85 per cent majority owner, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), is determined to spend up to the maximum within the rules moving forward.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • In April 2020, an intelligence assessment determined that Chinese intelligence officials analyzed voter registration data from multiple states, according to a report that was declassified in 2022.
    — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of determined

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clinched
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Cite this Entry

“Clinched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinched. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on clinched

Nglish: Translation of clinched for Spanish Speakers

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