clenched; clenching; clenches
1
2
: to hold fast : clutch
clenched the arms of the chair
3
: to set or close tightly
clench one's teeth
clench one's fists
clench
noun
Examples of clench in a Sentence
He clenched his teeth and continued to look straight ahead.
He clenched his fists in anger.
She was angry and spoke quietly through clenched teeth.
His jaw clenched and unclenched as he listened to the speech.
She danced alone, with a rose clenched in her teeth.
He was clenching a cigarette in his teeth.
Recent Examples on the Web
With the alligator's jaw clenched onto his arm, Georgitis decided to wrap his free hand and legs around the reptile’s body but the 6 feet 2 inches diver was unable to lock his ankles together and get a firm grip.
—
Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 23 Apr. 2024
As the Driver, Gosling was all glare and clenched jaw.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2024
If your jaw is clenched every time a child is in proximity to your cherished hand-me-down, perhaps employ a protective barrier, or place it somewhere less trafficked.
—Caitlin Gibson, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
The Scot released an emotional celebration after winning match point, turning to his friends and family with his fists clenched.
—Ben Church, CNN, 21 Feb. 2024
North Carolina State's men's and women's basketball teams clenched a spot in the last four in March Madness over the weekend.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
Terrell's eyes were clenched tight in nervous anticipation as the winning name was announced at show's end.
—Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024
The coincidences humbled me; suddenly, the clamp clenching my atrium loosened a notch.
—Jessica Amento, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024
Don’t leave home without a rose clenched in your teeth.
—Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2024
Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 23 Apr. 2024
As the Driver, Gosling was all glare and clenched jaw.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2024
If your jaw is clenched every time a child is in proximity to your cherished hand-me-down, perhaps employ a protective barrier, or place it somewhere less trafficked.
—Caitlin Gibson, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
The Scot released an emotional celebration after winning match point, turning to his friends and family with his fists clenched.
—Ben Church, CNN, 21 Feb. 2024
North Carolina State's men's and women's basketball teams clenched a spot in the last four in March Madness over the weekend.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
Terrell's eyes were clenched tight in nervous anticipation as the winning name was announced at show's end.
—Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024
The coincidences humbled me; suddenly, the clamp clenching my atrium loosened a notch.
—Jessica Amento, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024
Don’t leave home without a rose clenched in your teeth.
—Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clench.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Clench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clench. Accessed 6 May. 2024.
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