clench

play

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

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 –

— 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
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
Particularly a certain arena rock singer who tends to over-emote while simultaneously clenching his fist.

— matt wake, AL.com, "Father's Day rocks for these Alabama working musicians," 15 June 2017
The Russian contortionist Aleksei Goloborodko was on stage, bending his body into a series of organ-clenching positions.

— dylan owens, The Know, "Review: Cirque du Soleil’s “Luzia” gets lost in Mexico," 7 June 2017
Henderson says to look out for tension in your body, clenching or tightness of your jaw, and an upset stomach (which can also contribute to anxious people not eating enough).

— lori keong, Marie Claire, "6 Tell-Tale Signs You're Over-Stressed," 5 June 2017
During his first in-person meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump's typically aggressive greeting became a duel of one-upmanship as the two men clenched their jaws and tightened their faces during an intense, white-knuckled handshake.

— ashley parker, chicagotribune.com, "Snubs and slights are part of the job in Trump's White House," 29 May 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

See Words from the same year

CLENCH Defined for English Language Learners

clench

play

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

play

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