clinches 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of clinch
as in decides
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute the rain clinched the matter: we would have the party indoors

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clinches

2 of 2

noun

plural of clinch
as in embraces

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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 clinches
Verb
Picture A’ja Wilson making the layup that clinches the gold medal for the United States at next month’s FIBA World Cup. — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 In a men’s semifinal match, Roger Federer outlasts Juan Martin del Potro in a 19-17 final set and clinches his first Olympic singles medal. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026 If its price retreats from these incredible heights by before SpaceX clinches the deal, that number will rise. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 19 June 2026 The venue, home to the NBA's New York Knicks, could also be the site of an impromptu championship celebration if the team clinches the NBA Finals. — Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 13 June 2026 Whether the team clinches the title or not, this piece of merch has cemented its place in the city's style canon for 2026. — Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 Or, no, that is Jeremy Strong, because Strong is simply too recognizable to physically disappear into the role of Zuckerberg, but the voice clinches it. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 10 June 2026 San Jose landing a Professional Women’s Hockey League franchise clinches an upgrade for the Bay Area after a pair of high-profile pro sports departures from the region. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 19 May 2026 Ngannou exchanged strikes and clinches with Lins before finishing the Brazilian with a sweeping left hand to the head in the final minute of the first round. — ABC News, 16 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinches
  1. decides
  2. grabs
  3. determines
  4. settles
Verb
  • The development calls into question the future of the USMCA, which will face annual reviews until 2036—or until one of the three partner nations decides to pull out.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • District decides the race The gerrymandered 5th district would have been a monumental challenge for Cleaver if the courts hadn’t ruled to pause the law pending an election.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of decides
Noun
  • Myers had seven catches for 135 yards, twice tying the game in the second half with scoring grabs of 14 and 12 yards.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Meuser’s seat is considered safe, but other races in the state are up for grabs, including in the 7th and 8th districts, which are near the Post and Trivium factories.
    — Bernard Condon, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of grabs
Verb
  • Creating a licensing body is not a bizarre idea in a world where the FAA determines the airworthiness of planes and banks must pass stress tests to operate.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
  • What, for example, determines the topography of the hills and valleys?
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of determines
Verb
  • Once your wager settles, BetMGM will credit your account with up to $1500 (matching your original wager) in Bonus Bets if your first bet loses.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • As the heat settles in, fire crews are remaining on high alert, particularly as vegetation becomes increasingly dry this late in the year.
    — Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of settles

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Cite this Entry

“Clinches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinches. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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