clinch
/klɪnt͡ʃ/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.29 in modern English
13
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
1
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
verb
To fasten securely or permanently.
verb
To make certain; to finalize.
verb
To hold a boxing opponent with one or both arms so as to avoid being hit while resting momentarily
verb
To secure a spot (e.g., at the divisional championship) before the end of regular season play by having an insurmountable lead.
Example Sentences
- "“Beloved shipmates, clinch the last verse of the first chapter of Jonah—‘And God had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah.’”"
- "I already planned to buy the car, but the color was what really clinched it for me."
- "Vincent Kompany was sent off after conceding a penalty that was converted by Stephen Hunt to give Wolves hope. But Adam Johnson's curling shot in stoppage time clinched the points."
- "to clinch the teeth or the fist"
- "[T]ry if the heads of the nails [of horseshoes] be fast, and whether they be well clinched; if not, send presently for a smith; always stand by while the smith is employed."
- "It put the U.S. on the brink of clinching a spot in the quarterfinals."
Etymology
16th-century alteration of clench.