clinches 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of clinch
as in decides
to make final, definite, or beyond dispute the rain clinched the matter: we would have the party indoors

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clinches

2 of 2

noun

plural of clinch
as in embraces

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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 clinches
Verb
Because the Hawks need the arena later that night, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that if Golden State actually clinches the championship Thursday, there may not be enough time for a proper celebration on the State Farm Arena floor. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Picture A’ja Wilson making the layup that clinches the gold medal for the United States at next month’s FIBA World Cup. — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 In a men’s semifinal match, Roger Federer outlasts Juan Martin del Potro in a 19-17 final set and clinches his first Olympic singles medal. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026 If its price retreats from these incredible heights by before SpaceX clinches the deal, that number will rise. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 19 June 2026 The venue, home to the NBA's New York Knicks, could also be the site of an impromptu championship celebration if the team clinches the NBA Finals. — Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 13 June 2026 Whether the team clinches the title or not, this piece of merch has cemented its place in the city's style canon for 2026. — Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 Or, no, that is Jeremy Strong, because Strong is simply too recognizable to physically disappear into the role of Zuckerberg, but the voice clinches it. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 10 June 2026 San Jose landing a Professional Women’s Hockey League franchise clinches an upgrade for the Bay Area after a pair of high-profile pro sports departures from the region. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinches
  1. decides
  2. grabs
  3. determines
  4. settles
Verb
  • Yannis decides to go for STP, a Black Forest gâteau, and a Mary Berry’s recipe for Queen of Desserts, which is a mix of breadcrumbs and custard with jam and topped with meringue.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Federal agencies have overlapping jurisdiction over captive marine mammals –– for sea lions, the USDA oversees their welfare and NOAA decides who can keep them for public display.
    — Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of decides
Noun
  • The franchise man continues to build a strong rapport with his receivers, finishing 23-of-41 for 276 yards with a touchdown pass to Matthew Golden, who led the game with 104 yards on six grabs.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The five seats up for grabs on the Fulton Commission include the northern District 1 spot, where incumbent Republican Bridget Thorne is embroiled in a rematch with Democrat Maggie Goldman.
    — Reed Williams, AJC.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of grabs
Verb
  • How the Fed affects your money The Fed's benchmark interest rate determines what banks charge one another for overnight loans.
    — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In this setup, the angle between the polarized light and the polarizer determines how much light can pass through the latter.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of determines
Verb
  • Waititi never settles on one either, most often opting for a glibness that treats key aspects of the plot, including Klara’s rudimentary faith, into something like a joke.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Smoke from fires in the Sierra foothills, the North Coast and the northern Sacramento Valley often settles over Sacramento, and late-summer smoke tends to arrive during heat waves.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of settles

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clinchers
clinches
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Cite this Entry

“Clinches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinches. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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