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
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
Ben Coxworth
july 13, New Atlas, 13 July 2025
Take, for instance, Gabriela Hearst’s version, which boasted a sleek black leather trim and shiny gold clasp.
—Kelsey Stewart, refinery29.com, 8 July 2025
Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 1 July 2025
At a dinner with their former literature grad students, Lydie clasps Agnes’ hand under the table at the mention of their former thesis adviser.
—Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for clasp
Noun
Along with the tritium vials, other optional extras include a titanium clasp for hanging the Ti-Scout on a belt or bag, plus a leather carrying case.
—Ben Coxworth
july 13, New Atlas, 13 July 2025
Take, for instance, Gabriela Hearst’s version, which boasted a sleek black leather trim and shiny gold clasp.
—Kelsey Stewart, refinery29.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
Tim, 58, is wearing a gray cap and a pale yellow pullover and his hands are clasped over a cane.
—Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 1 July 2025
At a dinner with their former literature grad students, Lydie clasps Agnes’ hand under the table at the mention of their former thesis adviser.
—Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for clasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clasp
Noun
-
Since achieving independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has spent nearly half its life at war and is currently in the grip of a political crisis, after President Salva Kiir's government ordered the arrest of Vice President Riek Machar in March.—
George Obulutsa,
USA Today,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Besides the obvious discomfort, my grip never felt quite secure enough for the large, sweeping mouse movement required for a game like this.—
Kyle Orland,
ArsTechnica,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Easily the most expensive British automobiles of the era, the coupe and convertible models were christened Corniche in 1971 as a nod to the roads hugging the French Cote d’Azur.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
15 Aug. 2025
-
The Great River Road hugs the Mississippi River with picturesque landscapes perfect for stops and photo ops.—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
He is being held without bond at the Washington County Detention Center.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Regardless of what the future holds, Roman Anthony has set himself and his family up for life, and the Red Sox have locked in yet another piece of their future at a reasonable rate.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Improving knowledge of functional, everyday difficulties and potential scaffolding is within the grasp of HR with the occasional advice of specialists where needed.—
Nancy Doyle,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
But by autumn Iran was slipping from the Shah’s grasp.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
From the 1933 line drawing of the goddess Fortuna lovingly cradling the globe to the Bauhaus starkness of Walter Allner’s 1957 depiction of global trade to the Rubik’s Cube–like metal globe on the 2015 cover announcing our first Change the World list, Luce’s humane internationalism lives on.—
Indrani Sen,
Fortune,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Ozzy comes up, with Minnie cradled in his tattooed arms.—
Erik Hedegaard,
Rolling Stone,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
The automation factor in particular could get supercharged at Paramount, which unlike rivals Disney and Universal has not taken an oppositional attitude toward the tech.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
-
One included claims that teachers, in the past, have taken said supplies and asked that they not be labeled.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clasp. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share