as in grip
the act or manner of holding
fearful that his suitcase might be stolen, he never once relaxed his clench on the handle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to grip
to have or keep in one's hands
clenched a tissue in his hands as he told his story of misfortune
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of clench
Julia Vargas Jones,
CNN Money,
25 Nov. 2025
The Cleveland Guardians beat the Detroit Tigers, 5-4, on Thursday night in Game 4 of the ALDS, tying the series and setting up a clench-your-teeth, hold-your-breath series finale.
—
Ryan Ford,
Freep.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Spencer Nusbaum,
New York Times,
19 May 2026
The Beloved, his first film in Competition at Cannes, is an incredible achievement that builds on all those films and leaves them standing in the dust, hitting all the same tense throat-clenching beats but somehow transcending genre altogether.
—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for clench
Noun
Brazilian democracy has spent the past three years in a near-permanent state of tension – a full-body clench against an ex-president who refused to accept defeat.
—
Julia Vargas Jones,
CNN Money,
25 Nov. 2025
The Cleveland Guardians beat the Detroit Tigers, 5-4, on Thursday night in Game 4 of the ALDS, tying the series and setting up a clench-your-teeth, hold-your-breath series finale.
—
Ryan Ford,
Freep.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
On April 23, LeCroy remembered, Crews caught a sinking liner, held his glove in the air, clenched his fist and screamed into his glove.
—
Spencer Nusbaum,
New York Times,
19 May 2026
The Beloved, his first film in Competition at Cannes, is an incredible achievement that builds on all those films and leaves them standing in the dust, hitting all the same tense throat-clenching beats but somehow transcending genre altogether.
—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for clench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clench
Noun
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Anderson’s collection was about formality losing its grip — tuxedos loosened, denim ripped, sequins flashing, disco-ball boots stepping through a house built on old-world taste.
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Dead hangs build grip strength, shoulder mobility, and core endurance, which can support posture, daily function, and healthy aging.
Verb
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He had been sucked out of a cabin on the morning of July 4 as children clutched at his limbs.
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For the first time in a long time the Sweden striker, clutching the man-of-the-match trophy after his team’s 5-1 victory over Tunisia, could reflect on a job well done.
Noun
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Nothing seemed beyond his grasp.
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But there’s not a shortage of potential challengers who could step up and grab the championship from Ali’s grasp.
Verb
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Those arrested for criminal conduct must be held accountable in our court system.
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The toys clanked, the players held their breath and onlookers whispered strategies on the sidelines – until a winner was crowned.
Verb
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There is an art to cutting a cantaloupe, which starts long before grabbing the knife and cutting board.
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Schmidt can be forgiven for making this headline-grabbing prediction.
Cite this Entry
“Clench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clench. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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