clutch

1 of 4

verb

clutched; clutching; clutches

transitive verb

1
: to grasp or hold with or as if with the hand or claws usually strongly, tightly, or suddenly
He clutched his chest and appeared to be in pain.
2
obsolete : clench

intransitive verb

1
: to seek to grasp and hold
clutched at her hand
2
: to operate an automobile clutch (see clutch entry 2 sense 2a)

clutch

2 of 4

noun (1)

1
a
: the claws or a hand in the act of grasping or seizing firmly
a rabbit in the clutch of a hawk
b
: an often cruel or unrelenting control, power, or possession
the fell clutch of circumstanceW. E. Henley
c
: the act of grasping, holding, or restraining
2
a
: a coupling used to connect and disconnect a driving and a driven part (such as an engine and a transmission) of a mechanism
b
: a lever (such as a pedal) operating such a clutch
Depress the clutch to change gears.
3
: a tight or critical situation : pinch
come through in the clutch
4

clutch

3 of 4

adjective

1
: made or done in a crucial situation
a clutch hit
2
: successful in a crucial situation
a clutch pitcher
a clutch hitter

clutch

4 of 4

noun (2)

1
: a nest of eggs or a brood of chicks
2
: group, bunch
talking with a clutch of her friends
a clutch of photographs
a clutch of reporters
Choose the Right Synonym for clutch

take, seize, grasp, clutch, snatch, grab mean to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand.

take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl

seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

Examples of clutch in a Sentence

Verb I had to clutch the counter to keep from falling. The child clutched her mother's hand firmly. He had a book clutched in his hand. Adjective She scored a clutch basket.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Pictures of a mother clutching her baby, a young family cowering in a bomb shelter, and heroic Russian soldiers recall images of World War II, which Russian propagandists routinely use to legitimize the current conflict. Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Photos and videos from their trip showed the family lounging by the pool while Bronze clutches a football, spending some time at the serene golf course and more. Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 There was a concerning moment in the second half as Messi went down clutching his leg following a heavy challenge from Lukas MacNaughton as the defender made a clearance, but the Argentine eventually got back to his feet after lengthy treatment. Matias Grez, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Due to an issue in the design of a certain brake clutch disc, the brake clutch discs may not immediately disengage from the plates, allowing some engine power to continue to transfer to the wheels. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 After a few uncertain moments, Dorsett found its box, clutched it in his hand and moved under the white pavilion in Capitol Park. Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 4 Mar. 2024 But this time, Blair stayed down and clutched his leg. Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 29 Feb. 2024 Poor Lisa was up there, though, clutching the ironing board and gamely pushing the iron back and forth. Owen Thomas, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Feb. 2024 On their way to the 2023 title, the Nuggets were great in clutch situations— playing 37 games decided by 5 points or less, boasting the 3rd best clutch net rating, and improving from 13th to 3rd on defense when the game was on the line. Esfandiar Baraheni, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
Adjective
His three 3-pointers were as clutch as his late free throws, and as crucial as his defense on Iowa guard Tony Perkins. Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Feb. 2024 Even so, landing a DGA, PGA, and BAFTA nominee with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score for $2 is clutch. 10. Joe Reid, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2024 Having the right products is clutch, and Verovic has some recommendations. Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 10 Jan. 2024 If your destination is dusty, sandy, near water, or calling for rain, this waterproof pouch is clutch. Jen Ator, Travel + Leisure, 1 Jan. 2024 For me, this looks like my laptop, something to read (magazines are clutch here), my keys, airpods, and sunglasses. Vicki Denig, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2023 Auburn escaped back on the red-eye across the country Sunday morning with a 14-10 win over Cal in an ugly, sloppy performance on the offensive side of the ball, but a wildly clutch day on defense. Matt Cohen | McOhen@al.com, al, 11 Sep. 2023 And, of course, in typical Girlfriend style, the color options are clutch. Laura Lajiness Kaupke, Women's Health, 9 Aug. 2023 Disposable wipes, toilet paper, and other cleanup supplies are also clutch. Korin Miller, SELF, 2 Aug. 2023
Noun
Known as white asbestos, the mineral is used in roofing materials, textiles and cement as well as gaskets, clutches, brake pads and other automotive parts. Coral Davenport, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024 Color usually trickles into an ensemble in subtle touches — cherry-red lipstick or nails, an eye-catching, jewel-colored clutch. Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2024 Until clutch time, Jokic and Murray had rare coinciding duds, especially from a shot-making standpoint. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 17 Mar. 2024 Jil Sander Origami padded snake-effect leather clutch Khaite Bobbi bag Bottega Veneta mini Jodi python top-handle bag Loewe Flamenco python clutch bag J.Crew Berkeley bucket bag Jacquemus Le Chiquito Long snake-effect leather shoulder bag The Bucket List Bucket bags are back, baby! Madeline Fass, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024 Guests with no bags or clutches smaller than 4 inches by 6 inches can use Evolv express entry lanes for quickest entry. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 15 Mar. 2024 Half full: The Padres were awful in clutch situations a season ago, particularly in those one-run and extra-inning games. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024 On Sunday, the star rocked a chic blonde bob and matching purple clutch. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024 There are drawers full of clutches, crossbody and tote bags, and lines of shoes that range from sneakers to over-the-knee heeled boots. Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clutch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun (1)

Middle English clucchen, from Old English clyccan

Noun (2)

alteration of dialect English cletch hatching, brood

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clutch was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near clutch

Cite this Entry

“Clutch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clutch. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

clutch

1 of 4 verb
1
: to grip with or as if with the hand or claws : grasp
2
: to make a grab
clutch at a swinging rope

clutch

2 of 4 noun
1
a
: the claws or a hand in the act of grasping
b
: an often cruel or stern power or control
had the enemy in their clutches
2
: a device for gripping an object
3
a
: a coupling used to connect and disconnect a driving and a driven part in machinery
b
: a lever or pedal operating a clutch
4
: a tight or critical situation : pinch
he came through in the clutch

clutch

3 of 4 adjective
: done or doing well in a tight or critical situation
a clutch play
a clutch player

clutch

4 of 4 noun
: a nest or batch of eggs or a brood of chicks
Etymology

Verb

Old English clyccan "to grasp, hold"

Noun

altered form of dialect word cletch "a hatching, brood"

More from Merriam-Webster on clutch

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