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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clasp
Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
The 41 mm white-gold case, dial, crown, and even the white-gold clasp on the blue alligator leather strap have been entirely iced out.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
Back at the gathering, there were Martha’s groans and Gretchen’s anger, and there was Mike, clasping his chest—a heart attack?
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clasp
Noun
Cami secured her walking archive with a sturdy brass clasp and slung the bag over her shoulder.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
The 41 mm white-gold case, dial, crown, and even the white-gold clasp on the blue alligator leather strap have been entirely iced out.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
Others showed baby Spero clasping his tiny hand around Graham's finger and slumbering with a smile on his face.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
Back at the gathering, there were Martha’s groans and Gretchen’s anger, and there was Mike, clasping his chest—a heart attack?
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clasp
Noun
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By 1938, as the Nazis tightened their grip on Germany, Wolfgang’s family made plans to leave, and most of them headed to Switzerland.—
Jackie Hajdenberg,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
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Iran's grip on the strait has sent oil prices skyrocketing and given rise to one of the worst global energy crises in decades.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In his press conference on Monday, Rosenior pointed out that one video of Fernandez appearing to walk past him after being substituted against Manchester United was cut before the player turned around and hugged him and shook his hand.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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Slim planter beds along fences operate on the same principle, replacing bulky garden beds with streamlined growing space that hugs the perimeter and keeps the center of the garden open and breathable.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Braves, already holding an early advantage atop their division, have in-season reinforcements on the way.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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The Senate Banking Committee is set to hold a confirmation hearing for Warsh on Tuesday.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Chris Shays, who lost to her in the 2012 Republican primary, was less impressed by her grasp of policy.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Unlike on Earth, in space, if an astronaut lets an object slip from their grasp, the consequences are not just different (that object doesn’t drop to the floor) but also possibly dire.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The defendant would cradle the victim with his arms.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
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Handcrafted since 1852, these Swedish masterpieces are made with layers of natural horsehair, cotton, wool, and flax, designed to cradle your body while wicking away moisture and regulating temperature.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Nerves come into play, desperation takes hold, and, for the players, reputations are there to be made as title chases and relegation scraps enter their most crucial stretch.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
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When the garlic resprouts in spring, plant a new crop of spinach nearby to take full advantage of the companion plants' pest-repelling abilities.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clasp. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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