clincher
Americannoun
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a person or thing that clinches.
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a statement, argument, fact, situation, or the like, that is decisive or conclusive.
The heat was the clincher that made us decide to leave the city.
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a nail, screw, etc., for clinching.
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Automotive. a clincher tire.
noun
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informal something decisive, such as a fact, score, etc
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a person or thing that clinches
Etymology
Origin of clincher
1485–95; variant of Middle English clencher ( clench + -er 1 )
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.
As for that tiny point guard: With 45 points in the championship clincher, Brunson didn’t just win Finals MVP.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026
"The idea that who owns the seabed was the deal clincher in this election is baffling. People were fed up with us," they said, suggesting Drakeford did not want to acknowledge that.
From BBC • May 20, 2026
He had six hits in the two games, including three doubles and three RBIs in the series clincher Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2025
The clincher will be when they catch one of the perpetrators and get him to explain why he did it.
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2025
“Your clincher clue was waddle? That seems to work,” Wilder responded.
From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell
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.
