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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My favorite detail is the red ribbon on Giovanna’s right shoulder, which fastens her sleeve to her dress and floats over the darkness.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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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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That's why addressing the underlying debt, ideally before a creditor secures a judgment against you in court, is often the more logical fix.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
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The pot bottom locks into the wind guard, and the stove secures to the gas canister.—
C.C. Weiss
May 31,
New Atlas,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Following her character’s breakup with a cowboy (played by Luke Grimes), Langley hitches a ride back to Tennessee with a sage country singer who’s already seen it all (Miranda Lambert).—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
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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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News anchors Craig Stevens and Belkys Nerey toured the new 70,000-square-foot building at Miramar Parkway and Red Road on Wednesday, May 27.—
Morgan C. Mullings,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
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In November, anchors John Berman, Sara Sidner and Erica Hill guided viewers through live highlights from Thanksgiving Day parades in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston and Detroit, with celebrity guests offering a look at their own holiday traditions.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clamps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clamps. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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