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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Kennedy won, clinching 303 electoral votes to Nixon’s 219, though his popular-vote margin was razor thin. — Steven John, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2026 The Valkyries went on a 17-3 run to close out the quarter, and Williams’ jumper gave Golden State the lead and the Chase Center came alive as the franchise was a quarter away from clinching its first title. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026 Kimi Antonelli is on the verge of clinching the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship, needing only a ninth-place finish in Mexico City on Sunday. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 1 Nov. 2026 Breaking long droughts with region-clinching victories last week were Dougherty (most recent had been 2005), LaGrange (2006), East Paulding (2012), Randolph-Clay (2015) and Heritage of Conyers (2016). — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 1 Nov. 2026 Cincinnati missed a chance to move closer to clinching a playoff spot. — CBS News, 29 Oct. 2026 Then rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt hit a go-ahead homer in the top of the 12th inning, putting the Brewers three outs away from clinching their first ever championship. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026 Angel City has surged over the second half of the season, setting franchise records for wins and points en route to clinching a playoff berth. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 Paramount had lifted its offer for all of WBD by a modest amount as the companies jockeyed, clinching the merger by offering WBD shareholders $31 a share along with providing financing guarantees. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinching
  1. deciding
  2. determining
  3. settling
Verb
  • People are finding little ways to be whimsical by taking up crafts, going to pottery classes, picking up analogue hobbies, or bedazzling their plastic sippers and deciding that counts.
    — Sonal Nain, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Wickliffe has become Cleveland’s version of the Rams’ Aaron Donald as far as deciding to return to the football field at the last minute and test himself.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of deciding
Verb
  • The bigger shift will arguably come from AI, determining the future winners and losers.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Several races in the region are expected to play a key role in determining whether the House and Senate swing from the GOP to the Democrats.
    — Daily News Staff, New York Daily News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of determining
Verb
  • Even before settling in Windsor, Harry and Meghan lived at Nottingham Cottage, within the Kensington Palace complex.
    — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Installing a garden fence or covering your garden during the winter can help discourage them from settling there.
    — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 5 Nov. 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 9 Nov. 2026.

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