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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Vintage costume jewelry is not automatically cheap either, since many pieces were well made and designer-signed, with maker’s marks hidden on a clasp or behind a brooch. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2026 Check the clasp, the back of a brooch or the inside of a bracelet for a maker’s mark or signature. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
Verb
The final photo turned the camera on the Norwegian skier, who clasped his soon-to-be bride’s hand while widening his eyes and pursing his lips. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026 The study, like the seven-and-a half-foot-tall finished painting, shows King Charles head on, in a Welsh Guards uniform, with his hands clasped in front of his waist resting on a sword. — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 9 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
  • The contoured shape of the flip flops are designed to provide all-day comfort, and the sneaker tread provides a durable grip and long-lasting traction.
    — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Reenvisioning the Living Room If the kitchen is losing its grip on the center of domestic life, the living room may be stepping in to fill the void.
    — Elyse Moody, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026
Definition of grip
Verb
  • All of which hugs closely to the skin for a cologne that whispers rather than shouts.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 31 July 2026
  • The restaurant posted a photo on Instagram of the 80-year-old actor hugging family member Zurella Lancarte.
    — Jake Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
Definition of hug
Verb
  • Morgan silenced the critics and played into her heel persona—one that wants to hold the title for 1,000 days—with a strong victory over Iyo Sky.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The shooter is among the dead, Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks told reporters at a news conference held Saturday night.
    — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of hold
Noun
  • Sunday evening’s episode of House of the Dragon gave us a healthy mix of action and death and more of the slow unraveling of Queen Rhaenyra and her tenuous grasp on the Iron Throne.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • O’Donnell’s dumbfounded silence at the impossible-to-grasp question speaks volumes.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 25 July 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
  • Pimpton may have the inside track to start after taking most of the first team reps in spring camp.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
  • Kansas’ three Democratic governor hopefuls dug in on the issues and took shots at each other’s integrity and effectiveness in an hourlong Tuesday-evening television debate hosted by Topeka’s WIBW.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 July 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 3 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on clasp

Nglish: Translation of clasp for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of mitigate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All