as in to hush
to stop talking
the little girl clammed up when the doctor came into the room
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Recent Examples of clam up
The famously outgoing media personality clammed up, on air and off, thanks to a terrifying stranger.
—
Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 7 Dec. 2025
Then, after Austin Jackson sustained his season-ending knee injury in early November in Miami’s loss to the Bills , the Dolphins run game clammed up.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025
Although that doesn’t account for those opposite behaviors (e.g., clamming up).
—Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Trump had been more open to diplomacy near the beginning of Israel’s conflict with Iran, leaving his nuclear deal options open with them, but has since clammed up.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 21 June 2025
Win your division, and the odds of winning the World Series improve.
I’m tempted to clam up right there because earning a wild-card berth can also lead to winning a World Series — see Bruce Bochy with the 2012 Giants and 2023 Rangers.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2025
Again and again, West apologized to Ciara Miller for talking mess to the New York Times, handling their breakup poorly, and then clamming up all summer.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 May 2025
Meet Them At Their Comfort Level Some CEOs are great at being conversational and engaging on video; others clam up and want to use a script—which severely limits any feeling of authenticity.
—Elizabeth Baskin, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
While Lydia wallows in the residual pain, Paul has clammed up.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024
Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 7 Dec. 2025
Then, after Austin Jackson sustained his season-ending knee injury in early November in Miami’s loss to the Bills , the Dolphins run game clammed up.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025
Although that doesn’t account for those opposite behaviors (e.g., clamming up).
—Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Trump had been more open to diplomacy near the beginning of Israel’s conflict with Iran, leaving his nuclear deal options open with them, but has since clammed up.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 21 June 2025
Win your division, and the odds of winning the World Series improve.
I’m tempted to clam up right there because earning a wild-card berth can also lead to winning a World Series — see Bruce Bochy with the 2012 Giants and 2023 Rangers.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2025
Again and again, West apologized to Ciara Miller for talking mess to the New York Times, handling their breakup poorly, and then clamming up all summer.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 May 2025
Meet Them At Their Comfort Level Some CEOs are great at being conversational and engaging on video; others clam up and want to use a script—which severely limits any feeling of authenticity.
—Elizabeth Baskin, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
While Lydia wallows in the residual pain, Paul has clammed up.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clam up
Verb
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Egregiously, Michelin stars were never meant for taco stands — not in the modern era when the guide’s definition of greatness has so often meant white tablecloths, hushed dining rooms and pricey tasting menus.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
15 Jan. 2026
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Bryant, who was mostly hushed about specific details to the investigation, said that a vehicle linked to McKee was seen arriving in the area of the Tepes' residence just before the killings are believed to have taken place, and leaving the area shortly after.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After the bloom, there are no more nodes on the stem; the stems dry up and turn brown and green.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Although the product was not harmful, when the demand dried up capitalism punished the company with bankruptcy.—
David Thomas,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
My parents taught me how to shut up and listen.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
26 Dec. 2025
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But according to two top tech CEOs, the customers actually paying the bills—like a heavy equipment manufacturer in the Midwest—are asking the tech industry to shut up about the hype and show them the receipts.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
22 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clam up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clam%20up. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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