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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Every ballot is accounted for, every seal that secures a machine has a number that’s recorded and checked, and every provisional ballot is fully documented and sent along for adjudication by the election board.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
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Universal’s longer guarantee of theatrical exclusivity, however, acknowledges that a meaningful big-screen run secures a better return on investment.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
12 Mar. 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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Khat anchors a regional economy that is centered in Meru County on the slopes of Mount Kenya where thousands of smallholder farmers depend on it as their main income.—
Joseph Maina,
semafor.com,
27 Mar. 2026
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The primary retreat anchors dual bathrooms, a private salon and an oversized dressing room.—
Sandra Barrera,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clamps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clamps. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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