1
as in hugging
to put one's arms around and press tightly
clasped his long-lost sister and cried without restraint
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in holding
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
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Recent Examples of clasping
After the speakers concluded, the crowd lingered, hugging and clasping hands before police announced the parking lot would be closed.
—
Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 11 Jan. 2026
Flex your left knee at a 90-degree angle and place the rope around the mid-foot, clasping the rope with the right hand.
—Gerard Hartmann, Outside, 3 Nov. 2025
Next page, clasping hands with Schweitzer in her satin, white wedding dress with a rose bouquet.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
After arriving on the scene, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey ran toward the sanctuary and was later seen clasping his hands outside on the church steps.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Parents, some in tears, walked from the school, clasping their kids by the hands or carrying them out on their shoulders.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2025
The two took a few moments to pose on the red – well, beige – carpet together, sharing an embrace, clasping hands and admiring each other's outfits (Johnson was in Gucci).
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
The Everybody's Live with John Mulaney host, 42, sits on the bed, wearing a surgical mask and clasping Munn's hands in his.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Olea stood in the court room Thursday in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs, clasping his own hands.
—Ana Claudia Chacin, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 11 Jan. 2026
Flex your left knee at a 90-degree angle and place the rope around the mid-foot, clasping the rope with the right hand.
—Gerard Hartmann, Outside, 3 Nov. 2025
Next page, clasping hands with Schweitzer in her satin, white wedding dress with a rose bouquet.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
After arriving on the scene, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey ran toward the sanctuary and was later seen clasping his hands outside on the church steps.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Parents, some in tears, walked from the school, clasping their kids by the hands or carrying them out on their shoulders.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2025
The two took a few moments to pose on the red – well, beige – carpet together, sharing an embrace, clasping hands and admiring each other's outfits (Johnson was in Gucci).
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
The Everybody's Live with John Mulaney host, 42, sits on the bed, wearing a surgical mask and clasping Munn's hands in his.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Olea stood in the court room Thursday in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs, clasping his own hands.
—Ana Claudia Chacin, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clasping
Verb
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Three members of Gonzales’ family were seen standing and holding each other while crying, and the former officer was also emotional and in tears as he was cleared of all charges before hugging his defense lawyers.—
Matthew J. Friedman,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
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California's coast-hugging Pacific Surfliner gets plenty of attention for its ocean views, but the Golden State has plenty of charm inland, too.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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To give yourself more storage for holding all of your vacation must-haves, simply snap both bags together to create a dual compartment design.—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
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Peaceful protest, chanting, and holding signs are protected forms of speech.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But Taylor, who studies how the internet interacts with culture, says the rise of vagueposting coincides with a public discontent with just how grasping social media has become.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
11 Jan. 2026
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After signing with the Broncos in 2025, he’s just been focused on grasping a newfound status as a captain.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Cooper finally stops and helps Ariana to her feet, the two clinging to each other in relief.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
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Most notably, the Sabres held on when the ice was tilted in their direction clinging to a one-goal lead in the third period.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dangerous cold is gripping the region, with feels-like temperatures across the Tri-State Area dipping into the negatives.—
Justin Lewis,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
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Arctic temperatures Dangerous cold is gripping the northern Plains and Upper Midwest.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The commercial failure of Cutthroat Island eventually led to Davis taking a two-year hiatus from acting.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
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This is true even if the person (or computer) taking the bet is in an exotic location.—
Daniel Wallach,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clasping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clasping. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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