as in grip
the act or manner of holding
fearful that his suitcase might be stolen, he never once relaxed his clench on the handle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to grip
to have or keep in one's hands
clenched a tissue in his hands as he told his story of misfortune
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clench
Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Verywell Health, 26 Mar. 2025
My anxiety climbed, heart racing and head pounding as my jaw clenched tightly.
—Elizabeth Price, Vox, 22 Jan. 2025
The next day, the fisherman was found by rescuers —— dead with his son’s boot still clenched beneath his arm.
—Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 8 Jan. 2025
When the vessels clench after a pulse of norepinephrine, cerebrospinal fluid moves in to fill the gap.
—Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clench
Verb
This movement relaxes the jaw and keeps you from clenching or grinding.
—Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Verywell Health, 26 Mar. 2025
My anxiety climbed, heart racing and head pounding as my jaw clenched tightly.
—Elizabeth Price, Vox, 22 Jan. 2025
The next day, the fisherman was found by rescuers —— dead with his son’s boot still clenched beneath his arm.
—Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 8 Jan. 2025
When the vessels clench after a pulse of norepinephrine, cerebrospinal fluid moves in to fill the gap.
—Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clench
Noun
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Painstakingly designed over the last three years, the Backbone Pro is instantly recognizable, with that trapezoidal profile, but the grips are larger, comfier, and grippier, the thumbsticks are full size, and there's a new pair of programmable back buttons.—
Julian Chokkattu,
Wired News,
10 May 2025
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Jury selection is underway, and as the trial continues to ramp up, its grip on our culture will likely only grow stronger.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
The caricature of a suspicious-looking noncitizen from some faraway state clutching a clipboard is an exaggeration.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
3 May 2025
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Pilgrims, clergy, and everyday believers stood shoulder to shoulder, many clutching rosaries and prayer cards, their faces marked by grief and reverence.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The comeback, which felt impossible a few days ago, is now within their grasp.—
Kelly Iko,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
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The New York Times’ reporting about unrest at the Justice Department over the Trump administration’s investigation of campus agitation at Columbia exemplifies perfectly how media bias distorts the public’s grasp of legal controversies.—
Andrew C. McCarthy,
National Review,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
Heiss’s bed would be a platform floating in a room, with no clutter around it; the only other objects would be a curved lamp and a cabinet to hold Heiss’s linen shirts and trousers.—
Lillian Fishman,
New Yorker,
4 May 2025
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After six weeks of uncertainty, a solution was finally reached on Thursday (May 1): The 98th Oscars will be held as originally scheduled.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
4 May 2025
Verb
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The game ended appropriately with Minnesota’s Naz Reid grabbing an offensive rebound off a Timberwolves missed free throw attempt and hugging the ball like Minnesota hugged this victory.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
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Decker was walking and pushing his bike when Nelson grabbed his backpack and attempted to detain him.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clench. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
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