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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2025
As a model named Carl, stuck in a relationship corrupted by microcelebrity and Instagram view counts, Dickinson ticks with exasperation and sarcastic logic, his jaw clenched, his eyes wide and staring.
—Carrie Battan, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
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
To estimate 10 degrees in the sky, use the width of your clenched first held at arm's length.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2025
As a model named Carl, stuck in a relationship corrupted by microcelebrity and Instagram view counts, Dickinson ticks with exasperation and sarcastic logic, his jaw clenched, his eyes wide and staring.
—Carrie Battan, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clench
Noun
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This Lucky Step pair features a genuine suede-and-leather upper, a cushy insole, and a gum sole for no-slip grip.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
15 Jan. 2026
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It has also been used to design assistive tools such as finger splints and utensil grips.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dejected and weary, clutching a bag of bread, Pedro walked with a fist pressed to his mouth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
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However, that clutch comeback against Green Bay revealed even more growth for the franchise quarterback.—
Matt Zahn,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Through universal intelligent manipulation, the robot autonomously plans grasps, adjusts force in real time, and navigates obstacles using seamless hand–eye coordination.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Jan. 2026
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But the longstanding regime’s grasp on power now appears more tenuous than ever as the swelling opposition movement demands substantive change.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Miami’s first Black Art Basel exhibit was held at the Lyric Theater.—
Dorothy Jenkins Fields,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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He was tagged and pictured holding a skull on the group page, ABC 6 reported.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Start your very own love affair with Outcrease Retinol Trifecta Serum by grabbing a bottle today, and check out some of Dermelect’s other skin correcting serums and facial oils below.—
Michelle Baricevic,
InStyle,
14 Jan. 2026
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Madison outrebounded Point Loma 36-24, with Stevens grabbing seven and Moore five.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clench. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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