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clasp 1 of 2

noun

ˈklasp How to pronounce clasp (audio)
Definition of claspnext
as in grip
the act or manner of holding be careful that your clasp on the cat isn't too tight, or she could get hurt

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clasp

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to hug
to put one's arms around and press tightly clasped his long-lost sister and cried without restraint

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to hold
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms clasped a crayon and began drawing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of clasp
Noun
Scratch a gold chain, break a clasp, or lose the other half of an earring and, at least in theory, the material itself hasn’t lost its worth. — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 With its stylish design, magnetic clasp, and multiple colorways, this high-quality passport and document holder also makes a great gift for the travelers in your life. — Annita Katee, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2026
Verb
The new mothers clasped their babies close as a pack of teenagers ran through the park. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 In 1975, as Cold War tensions thawed, an American commander and his Soviet counterpart clasped hands in space after their spacecraft docked. — Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for clasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clasp
  1. grip
  2. hug
  3. hold
  4. grasp
  5. cradle
  6. take
Noun
  • One panel was falling, then smashing on the path, lead relinquishing its long grip on the glass.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Blood work showed significant increases in serotonin, melatonin and nitric oxide concentrations, and exercise testing showed gains in grip strength and reaction time.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of grip
Verb
  • In flight tests, the tiny drone navigated pitch-black enclosures, mapped unknown room layouts, hugged surface contours, and located exits without a single visual cue.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
  • While attending the grand opening of the Skims flagship store in London, Kardashian turned heads in a figure-hugging corset dress, complete with a waist-high leg slit.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of hug
Verb
  • Jenkins brought the crowd to its feet, scrambling for a 31-yard touchdown on a third-and-7, but a holding penalty negated it.
    — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • After their arrest, Soliman and Birhane were transferred from the hotel to the La Luna police station where they are now being held.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of hold
Noun
  • The government has declined to provide an explanation of how Diamantis managed to slip their grasp and make his way to Florida, the Bahamas, London, and Greece.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Polls open for the Duma ballot on 18 September – the first parliamentary election since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine – and, despite ever greater public opposition to the war, Vladimir Putin’s grasp on power is unlikely to be shaken.
    — Will Barker, TheWeek, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of grasp
Verb
  • The device features flexible side wings that can fold inward to cradle the head and neck.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • While standard flip-flops are generally relatively flat, these are made with plenty of arch support, along with deep heel cups to cradle your feet for full-day comfort.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2026
Definition of cradle
Verb
  • Their aim was to get bills out the door sooner and for the county to pay back districts that took a financial hit because of prior billing delays.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • After failing to convert on a first down, the Knights settled for a 29-yard field goal by Will Stone to take a 10-0 lead.
    — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of take

Browse Nearby Words

clash (with)
clasp
clasped
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clasp. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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