as in deciding
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute
the rain clinched the matter: we would have the party indoors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 clinching
At the 1999 Academy Awards, the former film took home a whopping seven Oscars, with Paltrow herself clinching the award for Best Actress at the age of 26.
—
Emma Banks, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
A week after clinching the I-70 Series for a fourth consecutive year, the Kansas City Comets are now left with questions to answer after dropping the final two games of the six-game series.
—Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 5 Jan. 2026
As the ball sailed wide right to secure the Pittsburgh Steelers’ pulsating and division-clinching 26-24 win, Loop bowed his head and stuffed his hands inside his face mask before being consoled by holder Jordan Stout.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Carolina's hope of clinching that title on Saturday ended as Baker Mayfield threw a touchdown pass to Cade Otton and Chase McLaughlin kicked three field goals to earn the two-point win, leaving the Panthers with almost no time to win the game on the game's final series.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 Jan. 2026
The Illini won the Music City Bowl, Northwestern’s $862 million stadium is set to open in the fall and the Chicago Bears went from worst to first in their division, clinching the NFC North title and a chance to win in the wild-card round at home.
—Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
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
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
Emma Banks, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
A week after clinching the I-70 Series for a fourth consecutive year, the Kansas City Comets are now left with questions to answer after dropping the final two games of the six-game series.
—Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 5 Jan. 2026
As the ball sailed wide right to secure the Pittsburgh Steelers’ pulsating and division-clinching 26-24 win, Loop bowed his head and stuffed his hands inside his face mask before being consoled by holder Jordan Stout.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Carolina's hope of clinching that title on Saturday ended as Baker Mayfield threw a touchdown pass to Cade Otton and Chase McLaughlin kicked three field goals to earn the two-point win, leaving the Panthers with almost no time to win the game on the game's final series.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 Jan. 2026
The Illini won the Music City Bowl, Northwestern’s $862 million stadium is set to open in the fall and the Chicago Bears went from worst to first in their division, clinching the NFC North title and a chance to win in the wild-card round at home.
—Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinching
Verb
-
The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft grounded pending further inspection, following UPS and FedEx each deciding to ground the planes that make up part of their cargo fleet.—
NPR,
NPR,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will take part in a showdown this Sunday at Levi's Stadium that could possibly end up deciding who finishes first in the NFC West.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Mavericks big man will seek multiple opinions before determining the best course of action to treat the hand sprain.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Smith said the administration is still determining what schools the students would be reassigned to based on the availability of bilingual and special education programs and the proximity to current Blanton students.—
Rachel Royster
January 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That can include lowering interest rates, reducing monthly payments, extending repayment timelines or, in some cases, settling for less than the full amount owed.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The warmth also helps any contaminants drain out, rather than settling at the bottom of cold oil.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clinching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinching. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share