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
But Orlando City scored the final four goals of the match to stun Inter Miami, clinching a miraculous 4-3 comeback victory on Saturday night at Nu Stadium.
—
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026
Instead, the Pistons forced Game 7 and won on its home court, clinching its first series victory since 2008, a second-round win over Orlando.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Premier League Preview Manchester United hosts Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday in a huge rivalry game with both teams close to clinching Champions League qualification.
—Steve Kornacki, NBC news, 1 May 2026
One win away from clinching a spot in the next round, the Lakers have so far weathered the storm created when Reaves and leading scorer Luka Doncic both suffered injuries in the same game on April 2.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, Bayern is looking for a treble after already clinching the Bundesliga (German league) and making the German Cup final.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
However, its hopes of clinching European football for the first time remain alive and Andrews was optimistic.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
City will have one eye on clinching the FA Cup trophy for the third time in eight years, while Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final clashes with Atletico Madrid will take plenty out of them physically and mentally.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Leading the Padres 8-5 entering the ninth at Coors Field on Thursday afternoon, the Rockies were on the cusp of clinching the three-game series.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026
Instead, the Pistons forced Game 7 and won on its home court, clinching its first series victory since 2008, a second-round win over Orlando.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Premier League Preview Manchester United hosts Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday in a huge rivalry game with both teams close to clinching Champions League qualification.
—Steve Kornacki, NBC news, 1 May 2026
One win away from clinching a spot in the next round, the Lakers have so far weathered the storm created when Reaves and leading scorer Luka Doncic both suffered injuries in the same game on April 2.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, Bayern is looking for a treble after already clinching the Bundesliga (German league) and making the German Cup final.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
However, its hopes of clinching European football for the first time remain alive and Andrews was optimistic.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
City will have one eye on clinching the FA Cup trophy for the third time in eight years, while Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final clashes with Atletico Madrid will take plenty out of them physically and mentally.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Leading the Padres 8-5 entering the ninth at Coors Field on Thursday afternoon, the Rockies were on the cusp of clinching the three-game series.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinching
Verb
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Now, the longtime CEO wakes up to a blank outlook calendar; Hartz sold her company in a $500 million exit, and is deciding on her next chapter in the wake of parting ways with her brainchild.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
-
Bowman noted the authority is guided by state law and case law in its decisions and deciding what is just and reasonable by a preponderance of evidence.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
Verb
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The California Department of Housing and Community Development sets general housing goals for a region, determining how many units at what affordability levels are necessary.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
-
The judge also made clear the scope of a preliminary hearing is limited, focused on whether prosecutors can establish probable cause, not determining guilt or innocence, but said the defense still needs sufficient time to prepare given the volume of material.—
Adam Sabes , Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Harvey Vaile had commissioned the house for his wife but never finished settling in, abandoning designs for the top floor after Sophia Vaile fatally overdosed on laudanum while Harvey was on trial.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
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Sardinian bandits sometimes fought back with their own sense of justice, settling matters through raids, kidnappings, and violence.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clinching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinching. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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