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 Goins stayed hot with Wei in Mixed-1, leaving it to Mixed-2, where Chicago nearly pushed it to a DB and made PBR save six match points before clinching. — Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Ketel Marte hit a two-run homer off Justin Wrobleski (11-4) in the first inning and Kevin Ginkel worked a perfect ninth for his first save this year, clinching Arizona's 7-6 win in the season series. — CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026 Even with Thursday’s 5-4 series-clinching victory, the Red Sox are just 21-37 when opponents score first. — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 31 July 2026 Eduardo Rodríguez pitched eight shutout innings, Gabriel Moreno hit a two-run homer and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Wednesday, clinching the three-game series. — ABC News, 29 July 2026 Its lineup is surprisingly fashion-forward, frequently clinching the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Acceptance while speaking to today’s top trends. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 20 July 2026 There is a precedent for a player in a third-place game clinching the Golden Boot. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026 However, in a heartbreaker for the Three Lions and their fans, Argentina scored twice in the final moments and extra time, clinching a return to the final to face Spain on July 19. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026 The 24-year-old Italian’s celebration after clinching victory with a forehand winner down the line told a slightly different story. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinching
  1. deciding
  2. determining
  3. settling
Verb
  • The decorations actually carry years of family memories, which makes deciding what stays especially personal.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
  • For the industry, replacing the cryptography may be easier than deciding how to implement the migration.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of deciding
Verb
  • Resources considered when determining eligibility typically include the money held in checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds and retirement accounts.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Prescription requests continue to surge, and determining eligibility requires careful chart review, documentation, and patient communication.
    — Jeffrey Millstein, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of determining
Verb
  • Mize proved that with six efficient innings (83 pitches) of two-run ball on Monday after settling into a routine with his next team.
    — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The agreements could provide a template for settling the antitrust lawsuit brought by 12 states to try to stop Paramount’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros.
    — Bloomberg, Daily News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of settling

Browse Nearby Words

clinches
clinching
cling
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clinching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinching. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on clinching

Nglish: Translation of clinching for Spanish Speakers

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