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
Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Last year the Red Sox clinched their first playoff berth since 2021 in Game 160.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers watched the Philadelphia Phillies clinch the National League East title on their home diamond after losing Monday's matchup in a back-and-forth duel.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clinch
Verb
As the Stars — who clinched a playoff spot Sunday — chase their first Stanley Cup title since 1999, their anthem may not stay confined to the plane or locker room for much longer.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Last year the Red Sox clinched their first playoff berth since 2021 in Game 160.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
The Padres will at some point clinch a playoff berth, perhaps as soon as tomorrow.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers watched the Philadelphia Phillies clinch the National League East title on their home diamond after losing Monday's matchup in a back-and-forth duel.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinch
Verb
-
There is still a lot of uncertainty, like whether or not to prune this season or decide to take out more vines.—
Carmela Karcher,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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On April 7, voters will decide the future of 24 Independence School District elementary, middle and high school buildings.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Eddy Moratin jogged down the stairs from his second-floor office at Lift Orlando’s headquarters to the lobby below, welcoming visitors with a first-name greeting and a hug.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
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Even a little boy walked up to her and asked to give her a hug.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The impossibility of his quest began to settle in.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The Southlake megachurch and its attorneys want to use someone from the American Arbitration Association or a district judge to settle the matter.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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After her fall, Kim sought out the new champion and gave her a big embrace.—
Gawon Bae,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Hidalgo shared an embrace with Notre Dame legend Skylar Diggins after the win and talked about sharing that moment with her.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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White Settlement detectives collaborated with agencies across North Texas to determine whether the three suspects were connected to similar incidents in the Metroplex, according to the statement.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
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Pierson was determined to do things differently.—
Lauren Clark,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The technology is more common in Europe but finding a foothold in the United States as snowfall has become less reliable.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
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How to stand out Kelly hoped to turn his job fair conversations into a foothold in the industry.—
Wilborn P. Nobles III,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Javier Sanoja lined a double over the head of left fielder Jake McCarthy, who missed making the grab by inches.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
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The only question now is the final tally of Donald’s victims, mostly civilians and children, when his Middle East power grab from indiscriminate carpet-bombing comes to an end.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Democrats have historically struggled to gain solid footing in Utah, where about half the population belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
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Or the descent that follows, where tired muscles and unstable footing put strain on the knees.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinch. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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