SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

death grip

noun

Definition of death grip

1 :an extremely tight grip caused especially by fear

2 :hold 3b

maintained their death grip on overseas markets

See death grip defined for English-language learners

Examples of death grip in a Sentence

He drove straight through the storm, never loosening his death grip on the steering wheel.
the cult leader had such a death grip on his followers that all orders were carried out without the slightest objection

First Known Use of death grip

1792

death grip Synonyms

Synonyms

arm, authority, clutch, command, control, power, dominion, grip, hold, mastery, reign, rein (s), sway

Antonyms

impotence, impotency, powerlessness

Related Words

clout, influence, leverage, pull, voice, weight; jurisdiction; direction, management; dominance, imperium, predominance, sovereignty (also sovranty), supremacy; prerogative, privilege, right; eminence, importance, moment

Near Antonyms

helplessness, weakness

DEATH GRIP Defined for English Language Learners

death grip

noun

Definition of death grip for English Language Learners

: a very tight hold on something

Learn More about death grip

See words that rhyme with death grip Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for death grip

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Examples: death grip in a Sentence