clinchers

noun

plural of clincher
as in aces in the hole
something (as a fact or argument) that is decisive or overwhelming the fact that the resort had tennis courts was the clincher in our deciding to stay there

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 clinchers Daytona will always be big, as will championship clinchers. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026 Manager Rob Thomson punctuated the Phillies' postseason clinchers over the years with a call-and-response in the clubhouse, asking Realmuto how many more wins were needed to win the World Series. — CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026 Four games, all of them potential Division Series clinchers … on the same day? — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinchers
  1. toppers
  2. crushers
  3. cappers
  4. factors
  5. determinants
Noun
  • Nulo also makes some food toppers and mixers, designed to be mixed with a complete and balanced dry food, not fed on their own.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Cerruti and city councilmember Phil Pluckebaum were in the park to announce the installation of 10 sign toppers and seven banners around the Little Italy neighborhood in East Sacramento.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of toppers
Noun
  • Hundreds of Denver comics also performed there, with nationally touring acts such as Ben Roy and Andrew Orvedahl (Cayton-Holland’s Grawlix partners) and crushers such as Josh Blue, Janae Burris, Troy Walker, and Christie Buchele.
    — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 16 July 2026
  • Adventure bikes have ballooned into 600-pound continent crushers.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
Definition of crushers
Noun
  • There is a high probability that following the team regularly will lead to securing tickets via ballots — but only the top cappers have guarantees.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
  • But unlike other series cappers, Last Rites didn’t try to be a summation of every demonic threat the duo has ever encountered, instead opting for another familial story by way of 1986’s Smurl haunting in Pennsylvania.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
Definition of cappers
Noun
  • Other factors, including enormous public debt piles, are also contributing to elevated yields.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Yes, the recent increase in roster spending at Texas Tech factors into this, but McGuire had posted three consecutive winning seasons before last year, the second Tech coach ever to begin a tenure with such a run.
    — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of factors
Noun
  • Age matters, Bonnet said, when considering risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, social determinants of health, and smoking.
    — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Serlie and colleagues are now studying determinants of weight loss success after bariatric surgery.
    — Crystal Gwizdala, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of determinants

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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on clinchers

Nglish: Translation of clinchers for Spanish Speakers

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