clinch 1 of 2

verb

ˈklinch How to pronounce clinch (audio)
Definition of clinchnext
as in to decide
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute the rain clinched the matter: we would have the party indoors

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clinch

2 of 2

noun

as in hug

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 clinch
Verb
Governor's race In the governor's race, Klobuchar appears poised to clinch the Democratic nomination to succeed Walz. — Diana Paulsen, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 The initial, ceasefire phase of that plan was clinched last October. — Dan Williams, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
Heat clinches winning record In moving to 42-39, Miami won for only the fourth time in its past 14 games and assured itself of a winning record for the 19th time in 26 seasons this century. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026 By virtue of their relative scarcity—there have been eight empty-the-tank outings since the century began—every Game 7 is an unqualified treat, but the Dodgers’ clinch was one for the ages. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clinch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinch
  1. decide
  2. hug
  3. settle
  4. embrace
  5. determine
  6. foothold
  7. grab
  8. footing
Verb
  • That trial is scheduled to begin next month, but could be pushed back or canceled altogether depending on what the judge decides.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has not decided whether to resume negotiations with the US.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of decide
Noun
  • In another clip, he was pictured giving his girlfriend a hug backstage.
    — Meg Walters, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The pieced-together ‘Believe’ sign, under which he and Roy hug now.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of hug
Verb
  • Conviser and DePaul settled her remaining claims in August 2024.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The Long Wharf Theatre staged it in 1999, with a 1930s setting not far from what Elm Shakespeare has settled on but with a Black cast and specifically set during the Harlem Renaissance.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of settle
Noun
  • The admission, an aside in a wide-ranging interview, raised eyebrows in the recovery community given the star’s very public embrace of sobriety after joining a 12-step program following his 2016 split from wife Angelina Jolie.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • With the embrace of partisan gerrymandering and geographic sorting, where individuals gravitate toward politically similar populations, few races are competitive on election day.
    — Jack Harvel August 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of embrace
Verb
  • Currently, each state has the power to determine its own rules, with many states opting to return a portion of the interest generated back to homeowners.
    — P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Mosser has not come to the negotiating table just yet, but Richardson says his office is determined to fix a wrong.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of determine
Noun
  • Ooredoo, which has had a foothold in Indonesia for nearly two decades, sees data center demand more than tripling in Southeast Asia by 2030.
    — Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • With filmmaking gaining a firm foothold in the state, suburbs like Naperville, Lisle and Long Grove have either put guardrails in place to protect their towns or are working toward that goal.
    — Steve Zalusky, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of foothold
Noun
  • There were still jobs up for grabs, roster spots in question and even unforgettable debuts.
    — Zach Berman, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • On the first drive of the second half, Brown hauled in a 21-yard grab across the middle on a second-and-15 to get Dallas out from behind the sticks for a first down.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of grab
Noun
  • That could leave the market on firmer footing than during the run-up preceding the crash.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Katz is known for a curatorial ethos that places scholarly rigor and popular appeal on equal footing.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of footing

Browse Nearby Words

climes
clinch
clinched
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Cite this Entry

“Clinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinch. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on clinch

Nglish: Translation of clinch for Spanish Speakers

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