clinch

[ klinch ]

/ klɪntʃ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR clinch ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to settle (a matter) decisively: After they clinched the deal they went out to celebrate.

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.

to fasten (objects) together by nails, screws, etc., secured in this manner.

Nautical. to fasten by a clinch.

verb (used without object)

Boxing. to engage in a clinch: The boxers clinched and were separated by the referee.

Slang. to embrace, especially passionately.

(of a clinched nail, screw, etc.) to hold fast; be secure.

noun

the act of clinching.

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.

Slang. a passionate embrace.

a clinched nail or fastening.

the bent part of a clinched nail, screw, etc.

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.

Archaic. a pun.

Nearby words

climbingfish, clime, clin-, clin., clinandrium, clinch, clincher, clincher tire, clincher-built, clindamycin, cline

Also clench (for defs 1–4, 9, 11, 12).

Origin of clinch

First recorded in 1560–70; later variant of Middle English clench

SYNONYMS FOR clinch

1 cinch, secure, close, conclude, confirm.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR clinch ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

clinch·ing·ly, adverb

Can be confused

clench clinch

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for clinch

Only the finest vintages and producers will clinch the deal.
Beer Countries vs. Wine Countries|Clive Irving|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Rabin government went on to clinch a first-ever peace deal with the Palestinians.
Israel’s Great Haredi Hope|Dan Ephron|December 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Obama is still not likely to win Texas in November, but his strong performance has helped him clinch the next few news cycles.
Mitt Romney Clinches GOP Nomination & More Texas Primary Results|Ben Jacobs|May 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Mitt Romney is expected to clinch the Republican nomination, but does it even matter?
Meghan McCain: Is It Too Late for Mitt Romney and Republicans?|Meghan McCain|April 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The delegate race will slog on, until Mitt can clinch 1,144—a goal that is still months away.
Mitt Romney Romps in Illinois, But the Long Race Continues|John Avlon|March 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He could see the magnate of Pinchbrook start, compress his lips and clinch his fists, when he found the bird had flown.
The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army|Oliver Optic
Clinch, now slightly intoxicated, leaned heavily on the pantry shelf beside Smith, adjusting his pistol under his suspenders.
The Flaming Jewel|Robert W. Chambers
In Richmond there was a calm and thankful feeling that the first clinch of the deadly tug had resulted in advantage.
Four Years in Rebel Capitals|T. C. DeLeon
One may break away and run a few yards to get a fresh start, or clinch, or catch as catch can.
Indian Heroes and Great Chieftains|[AKA Ohiyesa], Charles A. Eastman
Clinch, his powerful arm closing her shoulders, looked dully at the jewels.
The Flaming Jewel|Robert W. Chambers

British Dictionary definitions for clinch

clinch

/ (klɪntʃ) /

verb

(tr) to secure (a driven nail) by bending the protruding point over

(tr) to hold together in such a mannerto clinch the corners of the frame

(tr) to settle (something, such as an argument, bargain, etc) in a definite way

(tr) nautical to fasten by means of a clinch

(intr) to engage in a clinch, as in boxing or wrestling

noun

the act of clinching

a nail with its point bent over
the part of such a nail, etc, that has been bent over

boxing wrestling an act or an instance in which one or both competitors hold on to the other to avoid punches, regain wind, etc

slang a lovers' embrace

nautical a loop or eye formed in a line by seizing the end to the standing part.

Also (for senses 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10): clench

Word Origin for clinch

C16: variant of clench

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012