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
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Recent Examples of clench
Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
Not a market clenched in anticipation of a significant air pocket in growth.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2025
Try box breathing—inhaling on a four-count, holding for four, exhaling on a four-count, holding for four—while clenching and releasing your fists.
—Calin Van Paris, Outside Online, 21 May 2025
The Najaf player stretched out his arms, fists still clenched, and lifted his head to look into the captain’s eyes.
—Jason Anthony, The Atlantic, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for clench
Verb
Hank Willis Thomas’ (b. 1976) monumental bronze raised arm and clenched fist doesn’t require 500 words of wall text to interpret.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
Not a market clenched in anticipation of a significant air pocket in growth.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2025
Try box breathing—inhaling on a four-count, holding for four, exhaling on a four-count, holding for four—while clenching and releasing your fists.
—Calin Van Paris, Outside Online, 21 May 2025
The Najaf player stretched out his arms, fists still clenched, and lifted his head to look into the captain’s eyes.
—Jason Anthony, The Atlantic, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for clench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clench
Noun
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Reuniting with his godson (Finn), a streetwise enforcer entangled with a powerful crime syndicate, the two hatch a high-stakes heist in a desperate bid to escape the grip of a ruthless mob boss (Gooding Jr.).—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
21 July 2025
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But his grip on the classification is tenuous, as Pogačar, the race leader, sits only 28 points behind the Italian sprinter.—
Sophie Kaufman,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Video showed people sliding down the inflatable chute near the front of the plane while clutching luggage and small children.—
Jeff Martin,
Chicago Tribune,
28 July 2025
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The 993’s compelling performance is owed in part to a responsive pedal box whose throttle, brake, and clutch work in perfect harmony with responsive steering and the car’s relatively light weight.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
25 July 2025
Noun
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As the communist leader Robert Mugabe is elected, his declarations empower Africans to take up residence on the farmland, and her imperialist grasp slips, the beginning of the end for this family here.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
12 July 2025
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The country greatly appreciated Jóhannesson’s grasp of the context and his insightful and entertaining commentary.—
Karl Moore,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
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And believe it or not, plenty are genuinely comfortable, holding their own against traditional footwear.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
15 July 2025
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For several years, MLB held a draft in January and a secondary phase in June for players who had been previously drafted.—
Bodie De Silva,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Leave your troubles behind and grab a lime, because Thursday is National Tequila Day.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
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Concerned, the roommates grabbed golf clubs from one of the first-floor bedrooms and checked the house for a possible intruder.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clench. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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