as in fastens
to put securely in place or in a desired position
clamped the headphones to her ears and began to listen
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Recent Examples of clamps
The Pocket Grip also features a central hex drive that clamps a standard hex bit.
—
Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2026
The device, which clamps onto the line just above the hook and pairs zinc and graphite in seawater, creates a small electric field about the size of a beachball around the hook, and rattles approaching sharks.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
This is an adjustable graphics-card brace, and its screw tightens the part that clamps it to the slide.
—PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
Here, Lloyd clamps a muzzle — part fetish club, part Bane — over Lucky’s mouth while Pozzo pushes him in a wheelchair (the actor, Michael Patrick Thornton, uses a chair).
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2026
The device, which clamps onto the line just above the hook and pairs zinc and graphite in seawater, creates a small electric field about the size of a beachball around the hook, and rattles approaching sharks.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
This is an adjustable graphics-card brace, and its screw tightens the part that clamps it to the slide.
—PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
Here, Lloyd clamps a muzzle — part fetish club, part Bane — over Lucky’s mouth while Pozzo pushes him in a wheelchair (the actor, Michael Patrick Thornton, uses a chair).
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clamps
Verb
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Aquazzura’s signature swirling ankle strap curves upward from the sides of the shoe and fastens the 105mm heel with a slim buckle.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Waymo may need to assuage their concerns, as well as those related to their vehicles’ safety, before the company secures legislative approval in the Land of Lincoln.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
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Certain vehicles may have been built without the cotter pin that secures the brake booster pushrod to the brake pedal, potentially causing the brake booster pushrod to separate from the brake pedal, according to the notice.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Piecemeal progress As Scott hitches his legacy to trying to eradicate the thousands of vacant homes that have blighted the city for decades, the contrast between the two neighborhoods may be the biggest hurdle.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
13 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Patient pacing today anchors your playful work in real craft.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Cholokka Boulevard, lined with 19th-century brick buildings and massive live oaks, anchors the town with antique shops, art galleries, and cozy cafés.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clamps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clamps. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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