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
Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024
Burnett noted recent comments from Nevada politics expert Jon Ralston, who predicted that Harris would clinch the Silver State.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Brian Mazique, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Whole disciplines are dedicated to revealing the subterranean ideology that pervades frothy rom-coms and motor-mad action-adventures: the patriarchal designs in an end reel clinch, the unholy seduction of the internal combustion engine.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clinch 
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Verb
By Start Slideshow Donald Trump clinched victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, clearing the way for his return to the Oval Office.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024
Burnett noted recent comments from Nevada politics expert Jon Ralston, who predicted that Harris would clinch the Silver State.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
Rewarding finishes, activity in top control, clinches, and action–especially against equal or upper-level opposition would be ideal concepts.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Whole disciplines are dedicated to revealing the subterranean ideology that pervades frothy rom-coms and motor-mad action-adventures: the patriarchal designs in an end reel clinch, the unholy seduction of the internal combustion engine.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clinch
Articles Related to clinch
Dictionary Entries Near clinch
Cite this Entry
“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clinch. Accessed 22 Nov. 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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