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:
Spain's Alex Palou, a six-time winner this season, can clinch his fourth consecutive IndyCar season title and fifth in six years.
From Barron's ● Aug. 23, 2026
On the seventh of eight plays, Elway completed a 28-yard pass to Scott Marshall to clinch victory.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026
Machado Garry bloodied Makhachev's face with some punches in the clinch, but the Russian shrugged it off to reach the final bell ahead in a number of key stats.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
Ortberg said Sunday that he considers the MAX 7’s certification “clock-ticking soon” and expects the larger MAX 10 to clinch approval “not very long after that.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
Henry opened his mouth to answer, suddenly goggled, and clasped her to him in a clinch.
From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper 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
The Sweden striker finally clinched his British record transfer move to Liverpool on transfer deadline day after weeks of Newcastle United insisting he was not for sale.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
Crabb previously clinched a Manhattan Beach Pier bronze plaque, but it was Benesh’s first time winning the open.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 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
I may be the only kid in America who ever clinched the Musical Achievement Award by skipping out on his big concert.
From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick
The S&P 500 gained 0.6%, clinching its 26th all-time high of the year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
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
I then flew into New York City where the success of the New York Knicks clinching their first title in 53 years seemed to overshadow the World Cup among the locals.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
Fresh from clinching an accord to end the war with Iran and celebrating his 80th birthday, Trump's presence has dominated the summit in the spa town of Evian on Lake Geneva.
From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 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.
