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
Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
If he's nominated and manages to clench the win, the actor could make Emmy history as the first Black winner for best supporting actor in a drama.
—Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC news, 15 July 2025
They were clenched into what Christina called the claws.
—Clare Sestanovich, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
Jake Gyllenhaal’s Jack Twist is Ennis’ foil in every way: loose where Ennis is clenched, hungry where Ennis is stoic.
—Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for clench
Verb
Our heroes clench their squared jaws with determination while the villains chew the scenery.
—Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
If he's nominated and manages to clench the win, the actor could make Emmy history as the first Black winner for best supporting actor in a drama.
—Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC news, 15 July 2025
They were clenched into what Christina called the claws.
—Clare Sestanovich, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
Jake Gyllenhaal’s Jack Twist is Ennis’ foil in every way: loose where Ennis is clenched, hungry where Ennis is stoic.
—Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for clench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clench
Noun
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With English Subtitles French maestro Claire Denis’ taut chamber piece simmers with dark secrets and emotional tensions in its portrait of a community suffocating from the relentless grip of colonialism.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
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Wednesday then rescues Pugsley as Gomez and Morticia arrive, but before the family can properly reunite, Isaac snatches Wednesday into his telekinetic grip, choking her.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Majchrzak took off his cap and appeared to pass it to the boy who was clutching a giant tennis ball with both hands.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
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After Carpenter debuted the cover for her seventh studio album in June, some critiqued the image, which depicts the singer on her knees in a black dress as a man stands out-of-shot, clutching onto her hair.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Defensive back Prince Green III made the initial tackle to pop the ball out of Jordan’s grasp, then Caleb Moore recovered the ball.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
7 Sep. 2025
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The final two drops saw Lamb let a Prescott deep shot go right through his hands deep into Eagles territory just a few plays before a fourth down go-ball also fell through his leaping grasp.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Namajunas held onto the belt in the rematch in November 2021, defeating Zhang via split decision.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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For investment firms of the ultra wealthy, deal-making held steady in August.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Video surveillance from the scene posted online by Fox 11 shows a man lingering near a doorway, quickly grabbing the gift box from a table and running out of the venue.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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The owner wanted to keep the grab-and-go options previously offered in the space.—
La Risa R. Lynch,
jsonline.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clench. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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