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
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
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
Verb
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinches
Verb
-
Now, technology decides everything.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Deborah decides to pursue treatment after all, if only to buy enough time to work a little more.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The high-risk events identified in NPR's analysis include multiple high-profile matches, such as the game that determines which team takes home third place in the World Cup, and the World Cup final.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
4 June 2026
-
Triage — the systematic process of prioritizing patients by the severity of their condition — determines the length of the delay.—
Iyesatta Massaquoi Emeli,
STAT,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
See how things look after the dust settles.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
-
From up here, San Sebastián gleams to the east, the sea stretches endlessly forward, and silence settles like an ancient cloak.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Some offices, such as lieutenant governor, treasurer and insurance commissioner, are up for grabs and will see a fresh face take office after the November runoff elections.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
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For the first time in history, every seat is up for grabs.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clinches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinches. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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