clinchers

noun

plural of clincher
as in aces in the hole
something (as a fact or argument) that is decisive or overwhelming the fact that the resort had tennis courts was the clincher in our deciding to stay there

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 clinchers Daytona will always be big, as will championship clinchers. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026 Manager Rob Thomson punctuated the Phillies' postseason clinchers over the years with a call-and-response in the clubhouse, asking Realmuto how many more wins were needed to win the World Series. — CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026 Four games, all of them potential Division Series clinchers … on the same day? — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinchers
  1. toppers
  2. crushers
  3. cappers
  4. factors
  5. determinants
Noun
  • Gen Z is increasingly embracing mixers and toppers to customize meals and add variety.
    — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Salmon with avocado is a favorite for Klinger Tuna salad made with Greek yogurt is another of Klinger’s favorite rice cake toppers.
    — Embry Roberts, Martha Stewart, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of toppers
Noun
  • Hundreds of Denver comics also performed there, with nationally touring acts such as Ben Roy and Andrew Orvedahl (Cayton-Holland’s Grawlix partners) and crushers such as Josh Blue, Janae Burris, Troy Walker, and Christie Buchele.
    — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 16 July 2026
  • Adventure bikes have ballooned into 600-pound continent crushers.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
Definition of crushers
Noun
  • There is a high probability that following the team regularly will lead to securing tickets via ballots — but only the top cappers have guarantees.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
  • But unlike other series cappers, Last Rites didn’t try to be a summation of every demonic threat the duo has ever encountered, instead opting for another familial story by way of 1986’s Smurl haunting in Pennsylvania.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
Definition of cappers
Noun
  • The cascading fallout from COVID and our modern-day decline in formal religiosity are possibly two other factors.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The bill also gives some legal protection for school districts against financial penalties if their arts funding decreases as a result of factors beyond their control, such as the expiration of a grant.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of factors
Noun
  • Many of those outcomes can be attributed to social determinants of health, like affordability, care access and transportation.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Katie Garfield, who studies social determinants of health at Harvard Law School's Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation, said the lack of federal guidance is stirring uncertainty for states that want to pursue nutrition programs in Medicaid.
    — Priyanka D McCluskey, NPR, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of determinants

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Cite this Entry

“Clinchers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinchers. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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