as in grips
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 hugs
to put one's arms around and press tightly
clasped his long-lost sister and cried without restraint
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in grasps
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 clasps
Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
The waterproof nylon exterior includes slash-resistant lining and straps, locking clasps to secure valuables, and RFID-blocking technology to help ward off pickpockets.
—Kayla Kitts, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
Montalvo also tests clasps and hinges.
—Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
Ancient book clasps — used to keep manuscript tomes shut — were uncovered at the site, along with styli, the medieval equivalents of pens and pencils.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Waterproof cases might have durable clips or clasps.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
Zippers and clasps are built to stand up to daily use—mine has even encountered a few rainstorms—without losing shine or functionality.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
All of them have been broken into by raiders over the centuries, their walls smashed or lids prised off despite once being locked shut with metal clasps.
—Barry Neild, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
Its small gold details include a metal pinmount logo, clasps, and a magnetic snap closure inside to keep your items secure.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025
Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Keeping that hardshell closed is a pair of wide, beefy aluminum latches with a lower swing arm that clasps to a closure bar via a pair of hooks.
—New Atlas, 13 Dec. 2025
Noun
In a dramatic finish, the hem of the bodysuit transformed into garter points embellished with miniature satin bow ties and matching gold suspension clasps.
—Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
The waterproof nylon exterior includes slash-resistant lining and straps, locking clasps to secure valuables, and RFID-blocking technology to help ward off pickpockets.
—Kayla Kitts, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
Montalvo also tests clasps and hinges.
—Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
Ancient book clasps — used to keep manuscript tomes shut — were uncovered at the site, along with styli, the medieval equivalents of pens and pencils.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Waterproof cases might have durable clips or clasps.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
Zippers and clasps are built to stand up to daily use—mine has even encountered a few rainstorms—without losing shine or functionality.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
All of them have been broken into by raiders over the centuries, their walls smashed or lids prised off despite once being locked shut with metal clasps.
—Barry Neild, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
Its small gold details include a metal pinmount logo, clasps, and a magnetic snap closure inside to keep your items secure.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
Lindo laughs, clasps his hands together and raises them.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Keeping that hardshell closed is a pair of wide, beefy aluminum latches with a lower swing arm that clasps to a closure bar via a pair of hooks.
—New Atlas, 13 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clasps
Noun
-
The grips take a little getting used to, though.—
Joe Salas
April 07,
New Atlas,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Whereas the Lexus yoke is shaped like a butterfly and Tesla’s yoke was half a rectangle, Mercedes has removed both the upper and lower portions of a traditional round steering wheel and closed off both sides of the grips.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The design hugs the foot without feeling restrictive, while still providing enough stability for all-day wear.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The Lake County portion hugs the shoreline south to Lake Cook Road and continues west to the eastern part of Buffalo Grove.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rosi’s artistry grasps the limitations of being a long-term guest, visually juxtaposing the ancient and elemental, busts and people.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
But Sanders grasps the politics of an NFL locker room and the mindset of NFL veterans better than anybody.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Featuring the show’s slogan over a sunny pop of color, this sturdy ceramic mug holds a generous 15 ounces of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa, and is your Immunity Idol against a dull routine.—
Brittany Anas,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
-
According to Karen Wheeler-Hall, Rothe’s owner and CEO, the firm holds a portion of an $814 million contract to provide NASA with videography, photography and other multimedia services.—
Brandon Lingle,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Biff, once a high school star, is now disillusioned and searching for meaning after years of false starts, while Happy — outwardly confident and eager to impress — clings to a glossy vision of success that masks his own dissatisfaction.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
No matter how any individual race plays out, the stench clings to much of the team.—
Michelle Cottle,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Then, later on, when Mark takes Margo to court for custody, the judge can’t believe someone who looks like her is a grandmother.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
When the news breaks of faraway civilian casualties — an erroneous air strike on a school that relied on outdated intelligence, for example — the mind takes refuge in abstractions and statistics.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clasps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clasps. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
