clinch

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: clench, flinch, cinch, clunch, crinch, clitch, chinch, slinch, linch, clich, clonch

Antonyms: clench, flinch, cinch, clunch, crinch, clitch, chinch, slinch, linch, clich, clonch

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Verb

To [[bend]] and [[hammer]] the point of (a [[nail]]) so it cannot be removed. {{defdate|from 1560s}}
To [[clasp]]; to [[interlock]].
To [[fasten]] [[securely]] or [[permanently]].
To make [[certain]]; to [[finalize]]. {{defdate|from 1716}}
To hold firmly; to [[clench]]
To set closely together; to close tightly.
To hold a boxing opponent with one or both arms so as to avoid being hit while resting momentarily {{defdate|1860s}}
To secure a spot (e.g., at the divisional championship) before the end of regular season play by having an insurmountable lead.
To [[embrace]] passionately.

Any of several [[fastening]]s.
The act of bending and hammering the point of a nail so it cannot be removed.
The act or process of holding fast; that which serves to hold fast.
{{lb|en|obsolete}} A [[pun]].
{{lb|en|nautical}} A [[hitch]] or [[bend]] by which a rope is made fast to the ring of an [[anchor]], or the [[breeching]] of a ship's gun to the [[ringbolt]]s.
A [[passionate]] [[embrace]].
{{lb|en|wrestling|combat sports}} The act of one or both fighters holding onto the other to prevent being hit or engage in standup [[grapple|grappling]].
{{lb|en|slang|archaic}} A [[prison]] [[sentence]].

{{surname|en}}.
{{place|en|river|s/Virginia|and|s/Tennessee|c/USA|a tributary of the|riv/Tennessee}} River, named after an 18th century explorer.

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.