clinch
Americanverb (used with object)
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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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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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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:
Emily outlined how she recovered from her disappointment of finishing fourth to clinch her bronze.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
Verstappen had got going again before Norris came around as the last driver on track to clinch pole in the upgraded McLaren.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 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
The U.S., for example, won its first two games to clinch a spot in the next round, then lost to Turkey in a meaningless final game.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
Then, just to show you how crazy I am, when we were coming out of this big clinch, I told her I loved her and all.
From "The Catcher in the Rye" by J. D. Salinger
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
Two-hit shutout in 1-0 win over Birmingham clinches West Valley title for ECR.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2025
“No, no. The handkerchief, remember. The handkerchief clinches the matter.”
From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie
But what clinched the deal, he said, was the fact he’d known Nguyen’s husband and his extended family for years.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
They only clinched a berth to the knockout rounds after beating New Zealand in their third match.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
On Tuesday, they clinched their best performance during the first six months of a year since 1991.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026
A similar ovation came more than 90 minutes later after Williams clinched a tiebreaker to win the second set and force a third.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026
And so she missed the crucial game—the game that clinched the pennant for the Dodgers.
From "In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson" by Bette Bao Lord
James notched a triple-double in the clinching Game 6 and earned Finals most valuable player for the fourth time in his career.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
After clinching victory, Muchova buried her face in her towel as she took a moment to absorb the enormity of her achievement.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 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.
