as in to decide
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute
the rain clinched the matter: we would have the party indoors
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clinch
David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
Kahnle joins a Tigers team whose 2.41 bullpen ERA in September ranked third in baseball, helping upstart Detroit clinch a Wild-Card berth.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2025
Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2024
However, Perez might have gotten a little overconfident with his clinch work, leaving his head and neck available while shooting a double leg takedown in the third run.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clinch 
Verb
Still, the Chiefs clinched their third consecutive Super Bowl appearance, thanks to a clutch 35-yard field goal by Harrison Butker and some key defensive stops late in the game.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
Kahnle joins a Tigers team whose 2.41 bullpen ERA in September ranked third in baseball, helping upstart Detroit clinch a Wild-Card berth.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2025
Noun
Is Amanda having issues seeing with the blood coming out?
6d ago / 8:08 PM PST
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Round 5: Taylor not backing down from Serrano's pressure
Greg Rosenstein
Both fighters immediately enter the clinch.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2024
However, Perez might have gotten a little overconfident with his clinch work, leaving his head and neck available while shooting a double leg takedown in the third run.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinch
Verb
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The singer decided to busk on the city’s Church Street ahead of his concert, but police officers literally pulled the plug, saying Sheeran didn’t have proper permission.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
10 Feb. 2025
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Clearly, both of them took after their dad’s persistent spirit and decided to chart their own path in the NFL.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Turlington greeted another old-school Calvin face, Kate Moss herself, with an extended, shimmying hug before chatting with Mario Sorrenti and his wife, Mary Frey, and stylist Elizabeth Saltzman.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
7 Feb. 2025
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Some of the storylines are even taken directly from her own life, including one where a pastor effectively refuses to acknowledge Desiree’s identity as a trans woman by giving her a handshake rather than a hug after a service.—
Max Gao,
NBC News,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Iowa State didn’t have the same problem as the Cyclones began to settle in.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Feb. 2025
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Applying early — before her full retirement age of 67 — means settling for a smaller check.—
Liz Weston,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Zoom out: The bitcoin ETF in particular is likely to draw attention, given Trump's warm embrace of cryptocurrency (including his own meme coin).—
Ben Berkowitz,
Axios,
6 Feb. 2025
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The clip ends with father and daughter enjoying the warmest of embraces.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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This eclectic group, renowned in their respective fields, is set to evaluate the international and folk competition entries, determining the winners of the coveted Gaviota de Plata awards.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
11 Feb. 2025
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Related Articles While the app’s most common use case globally is scanning food products to determine the presence of potentially harmful additives and endocrine disruptors, Yuka’s cosmetic product-scanning side is seeing fast growth.—
Noor Lobad,
WWD,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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China and Russia have gained footholds in the Middle East and Africa via infrastructure and financial support.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
4 Feb. 2025
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Temu and Shein used to gain a foothold in the U.S. market.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Adapting the home environment with equipment like grab bars, ramps, and adjustable beds can reduce physical strain.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2025
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The mayor’s seat and four council seats, including two interim positions, will be up for grabs in November.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Democrats have struggled to find their footing after their resounding defeat in November, especially with Republicans seizing the government trifecta.—
Brady Knox,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
11 Feb. 2025
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As many Democrats in Congress have struggled to respond to the fire hose of disruption—at times seeming downright doddering in response to the White House’s potential upending of the constitutional order—the 53-year-old Schatz has helped his party find their footing.—
Philip Elliott,
TIME,
10 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinch. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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