clinched; clinching; clinches
1
2
a
: to turn over or flatten the protruding pointed end of (a driven nail)
also
: to treat (a screw, a bolt, a rivet, etc.) in a similar way
b
: to fasten in this way
3
a
: to make final or irrefutable : settle
that clinched the argument
b
: to assure the winning of
scored a touchdown to clinch the game
1
: to hold an opponent (as in boxing) at close quarters with one or both arms
2
: to hold fast or firmly
Synonyms
Examples of clinch in a Sentence
Verb
His home run clinched the victory.
The new evidence clinches the case.
Her work on the project should clinch her a promotion.
The photos of the city have clinched it for me. I have to visit Prague.
If they win tonight's game they'll clinch the pennant.
Noun
The referee told the boxers to break their clinch.
Recent Examples on the Web
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
The Roos had a strong showing in the 2023 playoffs, making the regional semifinals; the team has already clinched a spot in the upcoming UIL bi-district round that commences on May 2.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2024
The Heat defeated the Chicago Bulls 112-91 on Friday night at Kaseya Center to clinch the Eastern Conference’s No. 8 playoff seed and a first-round series against the top-seeded Celtics.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024
Kansas City lost its fourth game in six weeks and forfeited all hope of clinching the top seed in the AFC.
—Sean Gregory / Dallas, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
The Lakers took Game 1 on Sunday, beating the Pelicans, 124-108, to not only clinch eighth place in the West, but also drop the Pelicans to seventh place to set up Tuesday’s rematch and a second consecutive matchup with significant stakes.
—Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 15 Apr. 2024
Friday Polls in India — the world’s largest democracy — will open on April 19, setting the stage for a nationwide election expected to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi clinch a rare third consecutive term.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
President Joe Biden, who is set to face Donald Trump in November's general election, is the only major candidate running and clinched his party's nomination earlier this year.
—Abc News, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2024
If the Suns had lost to the Kings and the Timberwolves, the Kings would have clinched the No. 7 spot with a win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday at Golden 1 Center.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 13 Apr. 2024
Brian Mazique, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024
One win over any of the three clinches Panama’s spot in the four-team semifinals.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2024
For what struck me most about the Ferrante novel was how those feelings of intense, self-lacerating jealousy coexisted with deep love; the girls love and uphold each other, like boxers resting in a moment of clinch.
—Mary Gaitskill, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024
South Carroll field hockey clinches return to state title after defeating Patuxent in thriller.
—Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2024
Knots like the improved clinch and uni are quick to tie, as is the Palomar knot, which is regarded as one of the strongest fishing knots ever created.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 18 Oct. 2023
Even during our coffee, Lane was unable to describe an emotional clinch with the sewer creatures without bursting into laughter.
—Kyle Buchanan, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023
The hanging jumper from the foul line over Craig Ehlo at the buzzer in Game 5 clinches the first-round series for the Bulls.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2023
Thankfully, Alek Keshishian isn’t rushing to go any such place in the final clinch; her further recovery will be a series of subtle adjustments, it’s suggested, rather than any savior in a white coat or sudden deus-ex-machine sense of redemptive self-worth.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2022
Verb
Huntington Beach 7, Los Alamitos 1: The Oilers clinched the Surf League championship.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
The Roos had a strong showing in the 2023 playoffs, making the regional semifinals; the team has already clinched a spot in the upcoming UIL bi-district round that commences on May 2.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2024
The Heat defeated the Chicago Bulls 112-91 on Friday night at Kaseya Center to clinch the Eastern Conference’s No. 8 playoff seed and a first-round series against the top-seeded Celtics.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024
Kansas City lost its fourth game in six weeks and forfeited all hope of clinching the top seed in the AFC.
—Sean Gregory / Dallas, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
The Lakers took Game 1 on Sunday, beating the Pelicans, 124-108, to not only clinch eighth place in the West, but also drop the Pelicans to seventh place to set up Tuesday’s rematch and a second consecutive matchup with significant stakes.
—Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 15 Apr. 2024
Friday Polls in India — the world’s largest democracy — will open on April 19, setting the stage for a nationwide election expected to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi clinch a rare third consecutive term.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
President Joe Biden, who is set to face Donald Trump in November's general election, is the only major candidate running and clinched his party's nomination earlier this year.
—Abc News, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2024
If the Suns had lost to the Kings and the Timberwolves, the Kings would have clinched the No. 7 spot with a win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday at Golden 1 Center.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 13 Apr. 2024
Noun
Shields, a two-time gold medalist and multiple-time boxing champion, still admittedly has some things to learn about the clinch and escaping if she's taken down, but what remains clear is her advantage in striking.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024
One win over any of the three clinches Panama’s spot in the four-team semifinals.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2024
For what struck me most about the Ferrante novel was how those feelings of intense, self-lacerating jealousy coexisted with deep love; the girls love and uphold each other, like boxers resting in a moment of clinch.
—Mary Gaitskill, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024
South Carroll field hockey clinches return to state title after defeating Patuxent in thriller.
—Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2024
Knots like the improved clinch and uni are quick to tie, as is the Palomar knot, which is regarded as one of the strongest fishing knots ever created.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 18 Oct. 2023
Even during our coffee, Lane was unable to describe an emotional clinch with the sewer creatures without bursting into laughter.
—Kyle Buchanan, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023
The hanging jumper from the foul line over Craig Ehlo at the buzzer in Game 5 clinches the first-round series for the Bulls.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2023
Thankfully, Alek Keshishian isn’t rushing to go any such place in the final clinch; her further recovery will be a series of subtle adjustments, it’s suggested, rather than any savior in a white coat or sudden deus-ex-machine sense of redemptive self-worth.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clinch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clinch. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clinch
2 of 2 noun1
: a fastening by means of a clinched nail, rivet, or bolt
2
: the clinched part of a nail, bolt, or rivet
Geographical Definition
Clinch
geographical name
river about 300 miles (480 kilometers) long in southwestern Virginia and eastern Tennessee flowing southwest into the Tennessee River
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