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
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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
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
Noun
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On March 19, street toppers were removed from the street.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Apr. 2026
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Your Mattress Strip Bedding and Wash on Hot Start by removing all bedding — sheets, pillowcases, mattress protectors and any toppers.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But regulation losses … those are the crushers.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
14 Dec. 2025
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Beijing's stockpiling Chinese processors of raw soybeans, also known as crushers, pig farmers and feed producers have built up inventories that exceed typical levels, while state reserves have added further cushion.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
17 Nov. 2025
Noun
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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
Noun
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The researchers controlled for rents and other economic factors, though Leifheit said the findings still should be interpreted cautiously.—
Meg Tanaka,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
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Katie Sams, a teacher at one of the district’s alternative high schools, said her students are often older and dealing with complicated factors in their lives.—
Melanie Asmar,
Denver Post,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Moreover, since the risk of contracting HIV is closely linked to the social determinants of health, such as having safe and stable housing and employment, barriers to HIV testing could further widen health gaps.—
Nathaniel M. Tran,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
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High blood pressure is treatable, but despite having access to effective and affordable medications, more than half of Americans still have uncontrolled hypertension, with rates going up in sync with adverse social determinants of health.—
Elizabeth Cooney,
STAT,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clinchers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinchers. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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