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
Relevance
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
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 clasping
Bend your elbow and reach for your right hand, clasping hands together in Cow Face arms.
—
Riya Davda, Outside, 5 Oct. 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
Riya Davda, Outside, 5 Oct. 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
-
After not being seen together again for a few months, Perry and Trudeau were then photographed in September, hugging and kissing on a yacht off the coast of Santa Barbara.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The boots boasted a slim high heel, pointy toe and ankle-hugging silhouette.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One of his innovations in the new space is Fresh Out of the Box, a shelf holding books that are newly unboxed without anyone knowing the contents.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
20 Oct. 2025
-
In a struggle that eventually leads to Jayson holding Maeve hostage outside, Grasso musters strength and shoots Jayson in the head, in a small act of vengeance for Lizzie.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The father, Fyodor Karamazov, is a grasping, lecherous, deceitful, and shameless widower.—
Karl Ove Knausgaard,
New Yorker,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Furthermore, these grasping abilities would have also helped climb.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The younger woman accused her older sister of clinging to the past.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Mud-and-stone homes clinging to steep mountainsides collapsed upon their sleeping inhabitants.—
NPR,
NPR,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This particular aspect of the show frays the gripping tone that had been so masterfully crafted from its opening scene.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
-
It’s measured by gripping a handheld dynamometer.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
These are especially useful for taking public transport, grabbing a quick coffee, or leaving a small tip at a restaurant.—
Asia London Palomba,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Despite a remarkable performance against the New York Rangers last week, Stolarz appears to be taking a step back early this season.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clasping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clasping. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share