clench

verb \ ˈklench \

Definition of clench

transitive verb

1 :clinch 2

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

See clench defined for English-language learners

See clench defined for kids

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 of clench from the Web

Proper pelvic floor exercises involve clenching and unclenching, and wearing a jade egg will keep your muscles clenched, which could damage them over time.

— suzannah weiss, SELF, "7 Vaginal Products and Treatments You Just Don't Need," 17 Aug. 2017
But her latest role in the action film Atomic Blonde might just be her most daring yet, doing all her own stunts and even accidentally cracking her teeth from clenching her jaw too hard.

— emily kirkpatrick, PEOPLE.com, "Charlize Theron Wears a White Bra and Mini Skirt to the Atomic Blonde Berlin Premiere," 18 July 2017
Still without full strength in that hand — clenching it for a celebratory fist pump remains difficult — Kvitova returned at the French Open in May, losing in the second round there.

— Bloomberg.com, "2-time Wimbledon Champ Kvitova Stunned By American Brengle," 5 July 2017
Still without full strength in that hand — clenching it for a celebratory fist pump remains difficult — Kvitova returned at the French Open in May, losing in the second round there.

— howard fendrich, chicagotribune.com, "Two-time Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova stunned by American Madison Brengle," 5 July 2017
Still without full strength in that hand – clenching it for a celebratory fist pump remains difficult –

— howard fendrich, Philly.com, "Delaware's Madison Brengle upsets Petra Kvitova at Wimbledon," 5 July 2017
Debbie starts to lactate, and clenches her breasts in giggly embarrassment.

— rachel syme, New Republic, "GLOW Serves Up Liberation in Lycra," 30 June 2017
FILE - In this May 1, 2017 file photo, former far-right National Front party leader Jean-Marie Le Pen clenches his fist at the statue of Joan of Arc, in Paris.

— Washington Post, "French far-right bars founder Jean-Marie Le Pen on birthday," 20 June 2017
Red Sox reliever Blaine Boyer clenched his fist in anger.

— blair kerkhoff, kansascity.com, "Drew Butera’s triple — triple! — keys Royals’ victory over Red Sox," 19 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clench.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of clench

Middle English, from Old English -clencan; akin to Old English clingan to cling

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First Known Use: 13th century

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clench Synonyms

Synonyms

hold, cling (to), clutch, grip

Related Words

bear, carry; bag, capture, catch, collar, corral, grab, grapple, hook, land, latch (on or onto), nab, nail, seize, snap (up), snare, snatch, take, trap; feel, finger, handle, paw; clasp, embrace, grasp, hug; cradle

Near Antonyms

drop, give, hand, unclasp, unhand; cede, deliver, give up, hand out, hand over, release, relinquish, render, turn over, yield

CLENCH Defined for English Language Learners

clench

verb

Definition of clench for English Language Learners

: to set (something) in a tightly closed position
: to hold (something) tightly

CLENCH Defined for Kids

clench

verb \ ˈklench \

Definition of clench for Students

clenched; clenching

1 :to hold tightly :clutch

She clenched a pen in her hand.

2 :to set or close tightly

“I'll sit and clench my teeth and never tell you one thing.”
—Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

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See words that rhyme with clench Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for clench Spanish Central: Translation of clench Nglish: Translation of clench for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of clench for Arabic speakers

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