as in clutched
to have or keep in one's hands
clenched a tissue in his hands as he told his story of misfortune
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clenched
Among many Niger Deltans, there’s a mixture of ignorance, nonchalance, and clenched resignation around the industry’s environmental dangers, which take a back seat as folks get on with the business of everyday survival.
—
Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
After Barrett finished the sequence with a dunk on the other end, Barnes turned back to his bench, clenched his fists and screamed.
—Eric Koreen, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
The Chinese speedskater leaped into the air, fists clenched, joy bursting from every pore.
—Rick Maese, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2026
My stomach clenched with worry.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Don’t leave home without a rose clenched between your teeth.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
As Rathbun and other officers retreated, Webster clenched both fists, crouched into a linebacker’s stance, and charged into Rathbun, knocking him to the ground.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
My muscles, head, neck and back were clenched.
—William D. Brown, Outdoor Life, 13 Nov. 2025
To estimate 10 degrees in the sky, use the width of your clenched first held at arm's length.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
After Barrett finished the sequence with a dunk on the other end, Barnes turned back to his bench, clenched his fists and screamed.
—Eric Koreen, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
The Chinese speedskater leaped into the air, fists clenched, joy bursting from every pore.
—Rick Maese, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2026
My stomach clenched with worry.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Don’t leave home without a rose clenched between your teeth.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
As Rathbun and other officers retreated, Webster clenched both fists, crouched into a linebacker’s stance, and charged into Rathbun, knocking him to the ground.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
My muscles, head, neck and back were clenched.
—William D. Brown, Outdoor Life, 13 Nov. 2025
To estimate 10 degrees in the sky, use the width of your clenched first held at arm's length.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clenched
Verb
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Others brought flowers, clutched to their chests.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
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Along Ferrari Ranch Road in Lincoln, Karl and Jan Hess clutched to protest signs.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Rex Heuermann, the man charged with seven of the Gilgo Beach murders that gripped Long Island, New York, is expected to plead guilty next month, according to a source.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
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Without rain in the forecast for the next seven days, the extreme drought that has gripped the Interstate 35 corridor, including the Austin metro area, parts of the Texas Hill Country and much of the region's watersheds is likely to not only persist but also intensify.—
Roberto Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clenched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clenched. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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