as in deciding
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 clinching
Or the goal may be clinching a big add-on acquisition, or satisfying an unforeseen surge in sales by constructing new plants.
—
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2025
Baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter knows all too well the feeling of celebrating on the baseball diamond after clinching a World Series title.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Jeremy Bennett’s program is now a win away from clinching its second winning season in the last three years.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2025
Last week, his unique skill set was on display again, with three home runs at the plate and 10 strikeouts over six shutout innings on the mound, clinching the Los Angeles Dodgers’ return to the World Series.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers will have a chance to defend their World Series title in this year’s Fall Classic after a Game 4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, clinching a four-game sweep in the National League Championship Series.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Fourteen Grade 1 races worth a total of more than $34 million will be contested, drawing top-level horses and their owners, trainers, breeders and jockeys who have hopes of clinching year-end division titles.
—Kelley Carlson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers are entering Friday's NLCS Game 4 one win away from clinching a spot in the World Series.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
But Mamdani soared in the polls in the weeks leading up to Election Day, and ended up clinching the Party’s nomination.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2025
Baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter knows all too well the feeling of celebrating on the baseball diamond after clinching a World Series title.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Jeremy Bennett’s program is now a win away from clinching its second winning season in the last three years.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2025
Last week, his unique skill set was on display again, with three home runs at the plate and 10 strikeouts over six shutout innings on the mound, clinching the Los Angeles Dodgers’ return to the World Series.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers will have a chance to defend their World Series title in this year’s Fall Classic after a Game 4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, clinching a four-game sweep in the National League Championship Series.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Fourteen Grade 1 races worth a total of more than $34 million will be contested, drawing top-level horses and their owners, trainers, breeders and jockeys who have hopes of clinching year-end division titles.
—Kelley Carlson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers are entering Friday's NLCS Game 4 one win away from clinching a spot in the World Series.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
But Mamdani soared in the polls in the weeks leading up to Election Day, and ended up clinching the Party’s nomination.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinching
Verb
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Still, the toll of deciding to sit Curry on some nights for rest weighs on him.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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Following the public comment period which ended Thursday, the TCEQ will respond to the concerns in writing before deciding whether to issue a permit that would allow the project to move forward.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Barton’s story bears a striking resemblance to the narrative outlined in Corcoran’s legal claim and suggests the franchise was enjoying demonstrable success at a time that could be critical to determining if and how much she is owed.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
31 Oct. 2025
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This sparked an investigation by the NBA, with the league determining Rozier did not violate NBA rules.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At the same time, the auto club warned that with autumn settling in, drivers should be extra alert for traffic hazards that include shorter days with diminished daylight, slick roads with rain, morning fog that limits visibility and deer, which may run across roadways.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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In 1970, Godchaux left the South and traveled out west, settling in San Francisco.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clinching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinching. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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