clutched; clutching; clutches
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
1
: to seek to grasp and hold
clutched at her hand
2
: to operate an automobile clutch (see clutch entry 2 sense 2a)
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 circumstance—
W. E. Henley
W. 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
1
: made or done in a crucial situation
a clutch hit
2
: successful in a crucial situation
a clutch pitcher
a clutch hitter
Synonyms
Verb
Noun (1)
- boiling point
- breaking point
- conjuncture
- crisis
- crossroad(s)
- crunch
- crunch time
- Dunkirk
- emergency
- exigency
- extremity
- flash point
- head
- juncture
- tinderbox
- zero hour
Noun (2)
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 WebShira Rubin, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Bartholomew walked forward, clutching a staff, and ascended his patriarchal throne.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
Clear bags no larger than 12 inches wide, such as a gallon-sized plastic bag, and clutch purses no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches are allowed.
—The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
People clutch precious items — a book, a magazine, a photo, a gray felt cowboy hat — waiting for their two-minute turn with the Queen of Graceland, who sits at a table behind a poster-sized portrait of herself in younger days.
—Michael Callahan, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Mar. 2024
Judith Lieber is great for kitschy, Swarovski statement clutches in novelty designs; Nina has been making collections of formal-friendly bags and shoes from luxe looking materials like satin since 1953.
—Shelby Ying Hyde, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2024
Parker could be seen holding a JW Anderson pigeon clutch from season 2 while Davis was dressed in a sliming black ensemble with a pink satin bow and a white peter pan collar.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
When costume designer Holly Waddington gave her acceptance speech, Stone blew a kiss to the screen and clutched her heart.
—Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024
Each red carnation clutched by a supporter of the Russian dissident can be seen as a small act of resistance in a country where the state has cleared the landscape of all political competition.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024
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
Sean Evans, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2024
Every moment can feel special, especially with a day clutch in hand.
—Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2024
Check it out below, along with the album tracklist and that initial clutch of tour dates.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2024
Then Nate Oats’ squad started setting the pace and making clutch 3-pointers, sinking 10 of 15 behind the arc in the second half.
—Kathryn Sheldon, Sacramento Bee, 31 Mar. 2024
It’s been five days since Russia experienced its worst terrorist attack in two decades, when a clutch of Islamist gunmen burst into a crowded concert venue in the capital, opened fire and set the hall ablaze, killing at least 139 people.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Social media fans of Jackie and Shadow react The eagles have been the picture of devotion, tending to the clutch of eggs, watching over them in shifts, keeping them snug and warm and tidying up the nest.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024
In photos snapped of the couple at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, the actress’s clutch appears to be sealed shut.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024
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
Verb
Shiri Bibas was filmed on Oct. 7, terrified and clutching her children as gunmen forced them into captivity.
—Shira Rubin, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Bartholomew walked forward, clutching a staff, and ascended his patriarchal throne.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
Clear bags no larger than 12 inches wide, such as a gallon-sized plastic bag, and clutch purses no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches are allowed.
—The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
People clutch precious items — a book, a magazine, a photo, a gray felt cowboy hat — waiting for their two-minute turn with the Queen of Graceland, who sits at a table behind a poster-sized portrait of herself in younger days.
—Michael Callahan, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Mar. 2024
Judith Lieber is great for kitschy, Swarovski statement clutches in novelty designs; Nina has been making collections of formal-friendly bags and shoes from luxe looking materials like satin since 1953.
—Shelby Ying Hyde, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2024
Parker could be seen holding a JW Anderson pigeon clutch from season 2 while Davis was dressed in a sliming black ensemble with a pink satin bow and a white peter pan collar.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
When costume designer Holly Waddington gave her acceptance speech, Stone blew a kiss to the screen and clutched her heart.
—Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024
Each red carnation clutched by a supporter of the Russian dissident can be seen as a small act of resistance in a country where the state has cleared the landscape of all political competition.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN, 1 Mar. 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
In 1962, Lamborghini drove to the factory in Maranello and told Ferrari that his clutch wasn’t quite right.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2024
Every moment can feel special, especially with a day clutch in hand.
—Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2024
Check it out below, along with the album tracklist and that initial clutch of tour dates.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2024
Then Nate Oats’ squad started setting the pace and making clutch 3-pointers, sinking 10 of 15 behind the arc in the second half.
—Kathryn Sheldon, Sacramento Bee, 31 Mar. 2024
It’s been five days since Russia experienced its worst terrorist attack in two decades, when a clutch of Islamist gunmen burst into a crowded concert venue in the capital, opened fire and set the hall ablaze, killing at least 139 people.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Social media fans of Jackie and Shadow react The eagles have been the picture of devotion, tending to the clutch of eggs, watching over them in shifts, keeping them snug and warm and tidying up the nest.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024
In photos snapped of the couple at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, the actress’s clutch appears to be sealed shut.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024
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
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
Phrases Containing clutch
Dictionary Entries Near clutch
Cite this Entry
“Clutch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clutch. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
clutch
2 of 4 noun1
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
Nglish: Translation of clutch for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of clutch for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clutch
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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