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
The Braves and Eagles face off next week, with the winner likely clinching a share of first place in the final league standings.
—
Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 11 Oct. 2025
Club América, hailing from Mexico City, is a two-time Liga MX Femenil champion, clinching the title in Apertura 2018 and Clausura 2023.
—Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Gus, meanwhile, went on to amass 743 points over 1,056 games for five teams, highlighted by an appearance in the 1988 All-Star Game during his first year in Vancouver and an iconic series-clinching overtime goal for the Canucks in the 1994 conference finals.
—Rob Rossi, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Ramona High placed in four out of the six events, clinching the overall title.
—Cadet Emma Burgess, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Oct. 2025
Las Vegas are now two wins away from clinching their third WNBA championship in the last four years.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Paramount is close to clinching an acquisition of The Free Press that will include a top role at CBS News for the site’s founder, Bari Weiss.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
Photos from the Cincinnati Reds' celebration after clinching a playoff spot.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Sep. 2025
In 2005, shortly after arriving in orbit around the ringed planet, the joint NASA–European Space Agency (ESA) Cassini mission found clinching evidence that Enceladus harbored a liquid-water ocean beneath its bright-white icy crust—plumes of seawater spraying up from the moon’s south pole.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2025
Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 11 Oct. 2025
Club América, hailing from Mexico City, is a two-time Liga MX Femenil champion, clinching the title in Apertura 2018 and Clausura 2023.
—Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Gus, meanwhile, went on to amass 743 points over 1,056 games for five teams, highlighted by an appearance in the 1988 All-Star Game during his first year in Vancouver and an iconic series-clinching overtime goal for the Canucks in the 1994 conference finals.
—Rob Rossi, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Ramona High placed in four out of the six events, clinching the overall title.
—Cadet Emma Burgess, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Oct. 2025
Las Vegas are now two wins away from clinching their third WNBA championship in the last four years.
—Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Paramount is close to clinching an acquisition of The Free Press that will include a top role at CBS News for the site’s founder, Bari Weiss.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
Photos from the Cincinnati Reds' celebration after clinching a playoff spot.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Sep. 2025
In 2005, shortly after arriving in orbit around the ringed planet, the joint NASA–European Space Agency (ESA) Cassini mission found clinching evidence that Enceladus harbored a liquid-water ocean beneath its bright-white icy crust—plumes of seawater spraying up from the moon’s south pole.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinching
Verb
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Examine The Planter Before deciding what plants to choose, take a glance at your planter or container from all sides.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
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As a result, Danny heads to Boston and visits his son in the hospital, before eventually deciding to crack the case himself.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This will include determining how the results translate to humans.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
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Wind direction is also crucial in determining which areas will receive lake-effect snow.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In Cheese Curd's case, further videos show the former stray settling on his rescuer's lap, eating treats, and cuddling up with new toys and pillows bought especially for him.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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Lanvin Group remains in the midst of a significant transition with Peter Copping putting his mark on Lanvin and Paul Andrew settling in at Sergio Rossi.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clinching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinching. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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