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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clinches

2 of 2

noun

plural of clinch
as in embraces

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 clinches
Verb
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 Ngannou exchanged strikes and clinches with Lins before finishing the Brazilian with a sweeping left hand to the head in the final minute of the first round. — ABC News, 16 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clinches
  1. decides
  2. grabs
  3. determines
  4. settles
Verb
  • If India decides to limit rice exports due to concerns about domestic food insecurity, that will in turn increase global rice prices.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
  • If a community decides the potential benefits of such a project (jobs and reduced taxes, for example) outweigh its costs, the municipality should be able to move forward.
    — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of decides
Noun
  • From Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton to Rosalía in Erdem, spring 2027 designs are up for grabs among the stars.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • All 21 board seats are up for grabs, and though most members are running to keep their seats, the races are expected to be hotly contested.
    — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of grabs
Verb
  • Operational value creation is what is left, and in a cycle concentrated below $1 billion, the quality of the separation is what determines the return.
    — Miki Kapoor, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Each establishment determines the experiences offered to Inside members and his or her plus-one.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of determines
Verb
  • Once your wager settles, BetMGM will credit your account with $150 in Bonus Bets.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The arrival of Alma, a real estate developer from Madrid who settles in Gazulea with her two daughters, disrupts the community’s life and sparks a conflict between the town’s future and the preservation of its roots.
    — Franchesca Guim, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of settles

Browse Nearby Words

clinchers
clinches
clinching
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clinches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clinches. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Luddite

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All