clench 1 of 2

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clench

2 of 2

verb

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 clench
Verb
This movement relaxes the jaw and keeps you from clenching or grinding. Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Verywell Health, 26 Mar. 2025 My anxiety climbed, heart racing and head pounding as my jaw clenched tightly. Elizabeth Price, Vox, 22 Jan. 2025 The next day, the fisherman was found by rescuers —— dead with his son’s boot still clenched beneath his arm. Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 8 Jan. 2025 When the vessels clench after a pulse of norepinephrine, cerebrospinal fluid moves in to fill the gap. Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 8 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clench
Noun
  • The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 May 2025
  • Jury selection is underway, and as the trial continues to ramp up, its grip on our culture will likely only grow stronger.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Cook planted in an attempt to stabilize herself but went down clutching her knee.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 17 May 2025
  • More than 200 Rocky Mountain Prep high school seniors made a grand entrance on the floor of the roaring coliseum, clutching the hands of their escorts who, in many cases, were mom and dad.
    Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Undertaking this transformation requires a firm grasp of agentic AI, knowledge of its applications in finance activities and, most importantly, a solid game plan linked to the overall talent strategy.
    Jim DeLoach, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • Joan Benoit: The younger generation has a grasp on gender identity in a way that my generation never did.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Particularly in less densely populated parts of America, plenty of government officials and citizens still hold a grudge over the way businesses and schools were temporarily shut down.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 17 May 2025
  • The result is partial solutions that rarely hold under pressure.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Combs returns to the scene shortly thereafter and appears to grab at the phone.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • Rutgers teammates Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey might end up as No. 2 and No. 3 overall, but the Hornets will be able to grab one if not.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Clench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clench. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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