clinch
Americanverb (used with object)
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clinches,
present (3rd person singular)
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clinched,
past participle, past
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clinching
present participle
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to settle (a matter) decisively.
After they clinched the deal they went out to celebrate.
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to secure (a nail, screw, etc.) in position by beating down the protruding point.
He drove the nails through the board and clinched the points flat with a hammer.
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to fasten (objects) together by nails, screws, etc., secured in this manner.
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Nautical. to fasten by a clinch.
verb (used without object)
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clinches,
present (3rd person singular)
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clinched,
past participle, past
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clinching
present participle
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Boxing. to engage in a clinch.
The boxers clinched and were separated by the referee.
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Slang. to embrace, especially passionately.
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(of a clinched nail, screw, etc.) to hold fast; be secure.
noun
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clinches
plural
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the act of clinching.
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Boxing. an act or instance of one or both boxers holding the other about the arms or body in order to prevent or hinder the opponent's punches.
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Slang. a passionate embrace.
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a clinched nail or fastening.
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the bent part of a clinched nail, screw, etc.
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a knot or bend in which a bight or eye is made by making a loop or turn in the rope and seizing the end to the standing part.
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Archaic. a pun.
verb
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(tr) to secure (a driven nail) by bending the protruding point over
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(tr) to hold together in such a manner
to clinch the corners of the frame
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(tr) to settle (something, such as an argument, bargain, etc) in a definite way
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(tr) nautical to fasten by means of a clinch
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(intr) to engage in a clinch, as in boxing or wrestling
noun
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the act of clinching
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a nail with its point bent over
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the part of such a nail, etc, that has been bent over
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boxing wrestling an act or an instance in which one or both competitors hold on to the other to avoid punches, regain wind, etc
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slang a lovers' embrace
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nautical a loop or eye formed in a line by seizing the end to the standing part.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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clinchsimple
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clinchessimple
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have clinchedperfect
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has clinchedperfect
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am clinchingprogressive
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are clinchingprogressive
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is clinchingprogressive
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have been clinchingperfect progressive
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has been clinchingperfect progressive
Past
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clinchedsimple
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had clinchedperfect
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was clinchingprogressive
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were clinchingprogressive
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had been clinchingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of clinch
First recorded in 1560–70; later variant of Middle English clench
Explanation
When you clinch something, you confirm it, the way you clinch a deal with your brother to trade chores next week by shaking hands on it. The verb clinch arose as a variation of clench, and its original meaning was "fix securely (a driven nail) by bending and beating it back." Out of this sense of securing something physically came the figurative meaning of settling or securing an argument, deal, or bargain. You can also use it as a noun to mean "an embrace or close scuffle," like when a boxing referee pulls fighters out of a clinch.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It isn’t yet clear whether Blanche has sufficient support in the full Senate to clinch confirmation, or when a final vote might happen.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
Emily outlined how she recovered from her disappointment of finishing fourth to clinch her bronze.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
Spain scored in extra time and fended off Argentina captain Lionel Messi’s final push, earning a 1-0 win in extra time to clinch the World Cup trophy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
This issue became the principal argument against his candidacy as it became clear that Hamawy was going to likely clinch the nomination.
From Slate ● Jul. 14, 2026
Before she left I had started a new assignment, nothing itself terribly significant but I will say now it was the sort of thing that can clinch a person’s career.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
Carolina clinches the playoff berth with a victory while the Buccaneers will not necessarily claim the post-season spot with a triumph.
From Barron's ● Jan. 1, 2026
Tesla’s stock finally clinches a milestone almost a year in the making.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 17, 2025
Yet it might also be what clinches five votes against him.
From Slate ● Oct. 30, 2025
He clinches India victory over and over and over again.
From BBC ● Mar. 4, 2025
Caleb Cartwright raises both hands in a gesture that further clinches his mime thing: black turtleneck, black skinny jeans, black eyeliner, black bowler hat.
From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson
The roughly 2,000-word official obituary credited him with negotiating China’s entry into the World Trade Organization, a deal he clinched in 2001 after years of grinding talks with Washington that at one point nearly collapsed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
In the second set, Rybakina, 27, was unable to break world number eight Swiatek, and the Polish player clinched her 26th career title in one hour and 15 minutes.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
That is the number of shares that would have clinched the maximum $1 trillion stock award for Musk.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026
Rahm finished tied for 41st after closing with a round of 76, but the Spaniard has clinched the season title.
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
They clinched in the center of the ring.
From "The Contender" by Robert Lipsyte
They point to the growing number of countries which have conferred de facto recognition by clinching deals, accrediting diplomats, operating embassies, and more.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
However, when Djokovic responded by immediately turning the pressure on his opponent and clinching a third break point in the following game, the outcome seemed inevitable.
From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026
After the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Texas on Saturday, clinching the championship series four games to one, a reporter asked Mr. Brunson what he had against Texas.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026
On a night when his teammates struggled offensively, Brunson willed the Knicks to the series clinching victory, another gritty come-from-behind victory for a team that has made them a trademark.
From Barron's ● Jun. 14, 2026
Given all that had happened, and all its terrible consequences, it was frivolous, she knew, but Briony took calm pleasure in delivering her clinching news.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
