verb
clinch
klihnch
verb
1
To settle something definitely, or make a deal or victory certain.
"The last-minute goal clinched the championship for the home team."
"They clinched the deal with a handshake."
2
In boxing or wrestling, to hold an opponent close with the arms to prevent being hit.
"The exhausted boxer clinched his opponent to buy a few seconds of rest."
noun
1
The act of holding onto an opponent in a fight to avoid being struck.
"The referee had to break up the clinch in round three."
How to Use Clinch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something certain or final, or (in fighting) to grab hold of an opponent to stop them landing blows.
Easily confused with
clench
Common pairings
clinch the deal
clinch victory
clinch a boxing match
Word Forms
clinched past tense, clinches plural, clinches singular
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The last-minute goal _____ the championship for the home team.
Etymology
A 16th-century respelling of "clench" — originally about hammering a nail flat so it can't work loose, later widened to mean "make firm" or "settle for good."