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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Recent Examples of clinches
Drew Pittock, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Heat clinches winning record In moving to 42-39, Miami won for only the fourth time in its past 14 games and assured itself of a winning record for the 19th time in 26 seasons this century.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
The victory clinches the Central Division title and secures the top seed in the Western Conference during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles clinches the Pacific Division title and playoff berth with a win over the Washington Wizards on Monday, and if the Phoenix Suns fall to the Memphis Grizzlies.
—Matthew Davis, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Bode Miller clinches the men’s overall World Cup ski title.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
With the win, Japan clinches the top seed out of their home pool.
—Maria Torres, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
But Gophers coach Bob Motzko noted his team doesn’t want to be on the ice when any opponent clinches a conference crown.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
But what really clinches him as a great choice to round out the trio is his genuine enthusiasm and on-camera attitude.
—Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Spain clinches top spot for LGBTIA protections For the first time in a decade, Malta lost its spot atop the rankings, with Spain surpassing the archipelago under the leadership of leftist prime minister, Pedro Sánchez.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Heat clinches winning record In moving to 42-39, Miami won for only the fourth time in its past 14 games and assured itself of a winning record for the 19th time in 26 seasons this century.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
The victory clinches the Central Division title and secures the top seed in the Western Conference during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles clinches the Pacific Division title and playoff berth with a win over the Washington Wizards on Monday, and if the Phoenix Suns fall to the Memphis Grizzlies.
—Matthew Davis, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Bode Miller clinches the men’s overall World Cup ski title.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
With the win, Japan clinches the top seed out of their home pool.
—Maria Torres, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
But Gophers coach Bob Motzko noted his team doesn’t want to be on the ice when any opponent clinches a conference crown.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
But what really clinches him as a great choice to round out the trio is his genuine enthusiasm and on-camera attitude.
—Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinches
Verb
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The hospital decides not to airlift Roberta (Paola Núñez), who quickly becomes an emergency case when Camille (Natalie Zea) determines that her aneurysm has ruptured.—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 May 2026
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When the story is not fully developed before a company decides to sell, potential buyers start asking hard questions.—
David Chapman,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The general election determines officeholders for statewide positions, including for Georgia governor and lieutenant governor, both of which have no incumbents running.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
If Hoskins determines that the referendum does not qualify for the ballot, that decision is also poised to spark another round of legal battles to decide the fate of the campaign.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Venturella’s appointment comes as Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin settles into his role atop the Cabinet agency overseeing ICE.—
Heather Hollingsworth,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
There will be both winners and losers when the dust settles.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The many Fed Ex points (700) up for grabs that weekend?—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
14 May 2026
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And LePage’s race in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, as well as House races overall, offers a good laboratory for Vance’s style of politics — there’s even an electoral vote in the state up for grabs in 2028.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clinches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinches. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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