clinch

1 of 2

verb

ˈklinch 

clinched; clinching; clinches

transitive verb

1

: clench sense 3

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

intransitive verb

1

: to hold an opponent (as in boxing) at close quarters with one or both arms

2

: to hold fast or firmly

clinchingly

ˈklin-chiŋ-lē 

adverb

clinch

2 of 2

noun

1

: a fastening by means of a clinched nail, rivet, or bolt

also : the clinched part of a nail, rivet, or bolt

2

archaic : pun

3

: an act or instance of clinching in boxing

4

: embrace

Synonyms

Verb

• decide
• determine
• nail
• settle

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

Verb

On Sunday, the Lions clinched their first No. 1 seed in team history. —Colton Pouncy, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025

Needing a win on Sunday to clinch the No. 5 seed, the Chargers didn’t opt to rest any healthy starters until the victory was secure because Harbaugh wanted to keep the team in position to possibly get a home playoff game in the divisional round. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025

Noun

But come the clinch, their starts to 2025 ended up feeling like their 2024s. —Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025

The 11-5 Ravens, however, are playing for their second-straight clinch of the AFC North on Sunday. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably alteration of clench

First Known Use

Verb

1542, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1659, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

clinch

1 of 2 verb

ˈklinch 

1

a

: to turn over or flatten the end of something sticking out

clinch a nail

b

: to fasten by clinching

2

a

: to make final : settle

the evidence clinched the case

b

: to assure the winning of

a touchdown that clinched the game

clinch

2 of 2 noun

1

: 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

ˈklinch 

river about 300 miles (480 kilometers) long in southwestern Virginia and eastern Tennessee flowing southwest into the Tennessee River