as in jail
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
I once spent a night in the clink, and it's an experience I don't want to repeat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 clink
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
As the bullet weight clinks and clacks along the bottom, bass will key in on your rig and follow it.
—
Derek Horner,
Outdoor Life,
2 Apr. 2026
Shilo Urban,
Travel + Leisure,
19 May 2026
The hushed buzz of clinking Champagne glasses or afternoon tea pots pouring steaming cups comes from the adjacent lobby lounge.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for clink
Noun
The beer brand encourages users to exchange details or connect on social media with each clink.
—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
As the bullet weight clinks and clacks along the bottom, bass will key in on your rig and follow it.
—
Derek Horner,
Outdoor Life,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
Where to Eat Linger for hours on the patio at Lakeside Chophouse, clinking glasses of Vinho Verde and watching deer saunter by.
—
Shilo Urban,
Travel + Leisure,
19 May 2026
The hushed buzz of clinking Champagne glasses or afternoon tea pots pouring steaming cups comes from the adjacent lobby lounge.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for clink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clink
Noun
-
Concern arose that Orange was going to be taken out of the jail and lynched.
-
Vanity Fair reported that he was sentenced to 60 days in jail after being convicted of misdemeanor battery against a girlfriend, and was later charged with battering his third wife, Joanna Ferrell.
Verb
-
The Household Cavalry, on dark horses and with brightly shining breastplates, trotted past, jingling like a cutlery drawer.
-
The hiker then begins jingling bells in the bear's face in an attempt to scare it off, but the bear charges forward.
Noun
-
Given the cameras in the courtroom, his defense argued – much like lawyers have in Tyler Robinson’s case in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk – that his appearance in shackles and a prison outfit could influence potential jurors.
-
Later, Simpson served nine years in prison after being convicted on unrelated charges.
Verb
-
There’s often a pianist tinkling away in the corner of the airy elegant room in the afternoon.
-
The bell tinkled, but this time the shelves were empty.
Noun
-
Two years ago, a judge freed Anthony Bailey after 27 years in the federal penitentiary, giving him a second chance at life.
-
After a federal jury voted to convict him in early 2024, Hernández was sent to a notorious high-security penitentiary in West Virginia to serve his time.
Verb
-
Cheers ring out when survivors are rescued – moments of relief, even joy, and an emotional release from the grief and tension that feel palpable in the streets.
-
For a quick refresher, Pavlov found that if dogs were repeatedly given food while a bell rang, the dogs eventually began salivating at the mere sound of the bell because their brains associated the sound with food.
Verb
-
One of our challenges was thinking up a good chinking method that wouldn’t take an entire month.
Verb
-
Hong Kong — The buzzing of needles and gasps of pain fall silent, replaced by the clacking and rattling of steel and plastic colliding.
-
Which is why we were thrilled to find so many Prime Day deals on enriching toys, like this beautiful wooden Montessori toy, this silicone rattle and teether combo, and this charming teddy bear.
Cite this Entry
“Clink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clink. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
