cinched

verb

past tense of cinch
as in ensured
to make sure, certain, or safe the team's latest victory cinches a trip to the play-offs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cinched Embracing a minimalist aesthetic, Brinkley arrived in a $2,000 cotton-and-silk shirt dress cinched at the waist with a tonal belt that hung down past her knees. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 25 July 2026 The waist, for example, was cinched particularly tightly and emphasized in the 1940s and ’50s. — Kelly Niesen, Glamour, 24 July 2026 Argentina cinched a dramatic comeback in a tense match against England, securing the team’s spot in the final against Spain. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026 The singer and actress arrived in a sculptural ivory jacket embroidered with crystals and cinched with an oversized black bow, paired with a fully beaded fringe skirt from the spring 2025 couture collection. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 8 July 2026 At Dolce & Gabbana, models wore clusters of jeweled cameos and crystals cinched at the waist. — Scarlett Conlon, CNN Money, 24 June 2026 Malia Obama wore an oversized light gray blazer, cinched at the waist, over a dark gray miniskirt. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 18 June 2026 The dress' bubble hem cut away at the front into a minidress revealing her pointed black pumps, and the actress also cinched in her waist with a black leather belt. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026 The Associated Press said Tuesday that Becerra and Republican contender Steve Hilton had cinched enough votes in last week’s primary to proceed to the November general election. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cinched
  1. ensured
  2. assured
  3. guaranteed
  4. secured
Verb
  • Citizen suits, for example, have extracted millions from heavily polluting oil and gas operations, and ensured that lead pipes in Flint, Michigan, would be removed after its water crisis.
    — Michael Phillis, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Khrushchev’s victory ensured the superiority of party leaders relative to other figures in the state, cementing his own power and giving him control of the regime.
    — Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of ensured
Verb
  • During an Elk Grove City Council meeting in April, Police Chief Bobby Davis assured the city council that precautions were in place to protect privacy.
    — James Taylor, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • El-Sayed’s victory was ultimately so narrow that it wasn’t assured until almost all ballots cast statewide were counted.
    — Joey Cappelletti, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of assured
Verb
  • Under the idea, the first 12 CFP berths would be guaranteed in some form (by selection committee rankings and/or automatic qualifying spots), while eight additional teams would vie for the final four spots in play-in games.
    — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Walk through any airport and you're almost guaranteed to spot a few Travelpro bags on the move.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of guaranteed
Verb
  • The archive features beauty products originating from the 17th century through the 2000s, with the most valuable item being a Max Factor lipstick belonging to Marilyn Monroe that Parsons secured in an online auction for more than $15,000.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Recording tracks in his spare time, Shakur secured a solo record deal.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of secured

Browse Nearby Words

cinch
cinched
cinches
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Cite this Entry

“Cinched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cinched. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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