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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In recent days, after Museveni was sworn in for a seventh consecutive term, Kainerugaba has strengthened his grip with a series of directives and orders usually reserved for the head of state.
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Adidas Virginia Watermoc is a slip-on shoe with all the appearances of grip and water dispersion.
Verb
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England were on the cusp of one of the biggest World Cup upsets in recent memory — until the heart and soul of the program came up more than clutch.
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In the midst of handing the job over to his son, even as Diego is making a speech about water supplies, hygiene and education, Don Alejandro snatches it back to cheers, clutches his heart and dies.
Noun
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As a result, those at the entry level are expected to have a more mature grasp of these skills, according to PwC’s latest AI jobs report, which looked at more than a billion job ads across the globe.
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With a goal in the 92nd minute of this match, and only roughly three minutes left in stoppage time, Canada can feel the round of 16 within its 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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Video of the incident showed the professor grabbing and twisting the arm of the pro-Palestinian student.
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As police tried to handcuff Sever, the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office said Sever swung at troopers and forcefully grabbed at a trooper's duty weapon, which was secured in a holster.
Cite this Entry
“Clench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clench. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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