clinching

verb

present participle of clinch
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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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 Perennial contenders despite the payroll constraints, unbothered by their underdog status even after clinching the top seed in the league. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026 The collection includes the clubhouse shirt players wore after clinching the NL East, on-field hats featuring the postseason patch and items such as pennants, pins, magnets, keychains and baseballs. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026 One day after clinching the AL Central title, the Guardians fielded a makeshift lineup missing several regulars. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026 Sean Burke wasn’t too worried about the Chicago White Sox bouncing back after celebrating clinching a playoff spot Thursday. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 26 Sep. 2026 Five of the six teams in the AL have been decided, with Tampa Bay and Cleveland clinching the top two seedings and the first-round bye. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 The Padres tied the Chicago Cubs for the top wild-card spot in the National League at 86-69, a game ahead of Philadelphia, and reduced their magic number for clinching a playoff spot to three. — Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinching
  1. deciding
  2. determining
  3. settling
Verb
  • Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, and early withdrawals may face penalties unless they’re used for qualifying expenses such as education or a first home, so families should review the tax rules before deciding how to use the money.
    — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Coach Jim Harbaugh blamed himself for starting the landslide by deciding to go for it on fourth down from the Chargers’ 41, saying the team should have punted then relied on its defense, which had played well all day.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of deciding
Verb
  • The organization is helping provide fliers the family can use to canvas the area and will serve as a conduit with law enforcement while determining what other assistance the family needs.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Leaders and teams can then participate in developing practical solutions while the organization establishes clear measures for determining whether those changes are producing a different employee experience.
    — Gwen Mdinaradze, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of determining
Verb
  • Pick three colors, say pink, brown and green, and run a one-week trial of each before settling.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • He was first forced from his home as a child during South Sudan’s struggle for independence, eventually settling in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum.
    — Patricia Huon, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of settling

Browse Nearby Words

clinches
clinching
cling
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Cite this Entry

“Clinching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinching. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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