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.
The AI race could well be the clincher.
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026
They might as well use him as a closer, and they might as well use him in a World Series clincher, either in Game 6 or 7.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2025
In the division series clincher, the Phillies scored one run in the top of an inning, but the Dodgers scored in the bottom of the inning.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 15, 2025
The clincher for Emery appears to have been the promise of playing Asensio in the number 10 position.
From BBC • Feb. 28, 2025
Maybe it’s just easier to say, This is the clincher, than admit there’s no such thing.
From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz
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.
