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
John Towfighi, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
Dow clinches record high The Dow on Friday clinched its first closing record high of the year.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinches
Verb
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As the team struggles with grief, Sharon decides to pull Station 42 off active duty entirely, rather than assign a new captain.—
Alamin Yohannes,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
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But as his involvement in the burglary is realized, Mooney decides to make a run for it.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This is because the anode, the negative electrode that stores and releases charge, determines the total energy the battery can store.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
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Attendance is one of the key factors that determines school funding in most states.—
Eli Cahan,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Auburn’s red-zone defense has been strong, but its pass coverage from linebackers and safeties has been a weak point, potentially creating an area Missouri could exploit if quarterback Beau Pribula settles in early.—
Zach Sweet,
Kansas City Star,
17 Oct. 2025
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Sign up here and bet $5 on the MLB postseason, college football or NFL this weekend and get the bonus bets if your initial wager settles as a win.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Remaining unclaimed playoff spots The final two playoff spots in the Western Conference are up for grabs, with FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake, the Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes all stumbling towards the finish line.—
Tom Bogert,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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The first Daytona up for grabs is a Reference 6239 from 1967.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clinches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinches. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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